Free Iraq from Iran Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2658
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2025-05-22T17:44:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Free Iraq from Iran Act" (H.R. 2658) aims to counter Iran's influence in Iraq by requiring U.S. government agencies to develop a coordinated strategy supporting Iraqi efforts to dismantle Iran-backed militias, promote democracy, rule of law, and human rights, and reduce Iran's control over Iraq's political and security systems.

Key Provisions

Statement of Policy: Declares U.S. support for Iraqis seeking to end Iran's "malign influence" through its militias and to strengthen democratic institutions.
Interagency Strategy Development:
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), must submit a strategy to Congress within 180 days of enactment.
The strategy must outline:
Efforts to permanently dismantle Iran-backed militias (e.g., Popular Mobilization Forces or PMF) and end Iran's dominance in Iraq's politics.
Conditions for halting U.S. security aid to Iraq's federal government, including full dismantlement of militias, cessation of terrorism support, removal of militias from government roles, and ending militia control over ministries.
Support for Iraqi civil society, including:
Intelligence Community actions to monitor Iranian suppression of dissent, aid opposition groups' security, and counter disinformation.
USAGM efforts to expand broadcasting on militia corruption and abuses, use social media to highlight crimes, and support independent Iraqi media.
Coordination among U.S. agencies (State, Treasury, Intelligence, USAGM) for a unified approach.
The strategy must be unclassified, followed by an implementation plan within 60 days.
Designation of Terrorist Organizations:
Within 90 days, the Secretary of State must designate specific Iran-backed groups (e.g., Abu Fadl al-Abbas Brigades, Badr Corps, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, PMF, and others) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes any entities controlled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Funding Limitations:
Prohibits any U.S. federal funds from supporting these designated militias or their members, directly or indirectly.
Prohibition on Security Assistance to Iraq:
Bans U.S. security aid to Iraq's federal government, with a presidential waiver possible if Iraq stops supporting militias, removes them from security forces, and the waiver serves U.S. national security.
Requires annual reviews by the Department of Defense to assess compliance and national security risks.
Sanctions on Agents and Facilitators:
Within 180 days, the Secretary of the Treasury must issue an unclassified report (with possible classified annex) identifying Iran's "puppets" in Iraq, including specific individuals (e.g., former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki) and entities (e.g., Al-Rafidain Bank).
Imposes sanctions under Executive Order 13438 (which blocks property of those threatening Iraq's stability) on all identified persons.
Prohibition on LNG Imports:
Imposes sanctions to prevent Iraq's government or private entities from importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Iran.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces mandatory timelines for designating militias as FTOs, which expands the list of sanctioned groups under the Immigration and Nationality Act and could trigger immigration restrictions, asset freezes, and travel bans not previously required.
Conditions U.S. security assistance to Iraq on specific reforms, overriding prior aid authorizations unless waived, and adds annual reviews—unlike existing flexible aid provisions.
Mandates a new interagency strategy and report on sanctions targets, formalizing coordination that was previously discretionary.
Enacts a blanket funding prohibition on militias and a targeted LNG import ban, strengthening existing sanctions frameworks (e.g., Executive Order 13438) by making them statutory and automatic.

Potential Impacts

On U.S. Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Departments of State, Treasury, and Defense; Intelligence Community; and USAGM through required strategies, reports, designations, and reviews, potentially straining resources for foreign policy coordination.
On Iraqi Citizens and Civil Society: Could empower opposition groups and media by providing U.S. intelligence and broadcasting support, but risks escalating instability if aid cuts weaken Iraq's security forces or provoke militia backlash against protesters.
On International Relations: May strain U.S.-Iraq ties by withholding aid, pressure Iran economically and politically, and affect regional dynamics by isolating Iran-backed groups; could influence alliances in the Middle East, such as with Gulf states opposing Iran.
Broader Effects: Designations and sanctions might disrupt Iraq's economy (e.g., via LNG restrictions) and limit U.S. flexibility in countering other threats like ISIS.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Government Entities: Departments of State, Treasury, and Defense; Intelligence Community; USAGM; and Congress (for oversight and approvals).
Iraqi Government and Institutions: Federal government, military, judiciary, and ministries, facing aid cuts and sanctions unless reforms occur.
Iran-Backed Militias and Affiliates: Groups like PMF and named individuals/entities, subject to terrorist designations, funding bans, and property blocks.
Iranian Regime: Targeted through counters to its influence, disinformation, and economic ties (e.g., LNG exports).
Iraqi Civil Society: Protestors, opposition groups, journalists, and independent media, gaining potential U.S. support for security and reporting.
International Actors: Iraq's private sector (affected by import bans) and global energy markets (impacted by LNG restrictions).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens anti-terrorism tools by mandating FTO designations, which carry automatic penalties (e.g., material support bans under U.S. law); expands sanctions authority but includes waiver provisions to avoid rigidity. The unclassified reporting requirement promotes transparency while allowing classified elements for security.
Constitutional: Asserts congressional authority over foreign aid and sanctions (Article I powers), potentially checking executive discretion in Middle East policy; waivers preserve presidential flexibility under national security clauses.
Political: Signals a hawkish U.S. stance against Iran, aligning with bipartisan efforts to curb its regional influence; could spark debates on aid conditionality, risking perceptions of U.S. interference in Iraqi sovereignty, and influence future appropriations or diplomatic negotiations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8]

Recent Actions

2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-03: Introduced in House
2025-04-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Free Iraq from Iran Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (8 pages)