Commanders given exceptional powers

Iraq has expanded contingency plans for a possible renewed US–Iran conflict, deploying forces along sensitive borders and giving army commanders authority to confront armed violations without waiting for approval from the commander-in-chief. Officials familiar with the preparations told The Insight International on Friday that surveillance has been tightened in border cities on orders from Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, with round-the-clock monitoring of unusual movements. The measures cover the Iranian frontier from Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region to Basra in the south, and include army deployments along the Syrian border.

Basra in focus

Particular attention is focused on Basra, where officials fear armed factions could operate in strategically sensitive areas. A senior security official told Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Zaidi had granted commanders "exceptional powers" to deter outlaw groups immediately, without referring each incident to him. Iraq's Ministerial Council for National Security has also discussed civilian steps that could include remote schooling, digital preservation of sensitive public records and preparations for people fleeing fighting.

Nuclear readiness and diplomacy

Iraq's nuclear regulator said on Thursday that any radioactive fallout from a strike on Iran's nuclear sites would likely have limited impact on Iraq, and that its emergency room had prepared response plans with other agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Early warning stations along the border are linked to international monitoring networks. Emergency planning began in March and has been updated as the war evolved. Al-Zaidi told US President Donald Trump on Thursday that Iraqi territory would not be used to attack neighbouring countries, and US envoy Tom Barrack met the prime minister the same day.