Free Iraq from Iran Act
Sponsored By: Representative Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would build a U.S. strategy to counter Iranian influence in Iraq and push for the dismantling of Iran-backed militias through designations, funding limits, sanctions, and an energy ban. It would also direct coordinated U.S. support for Iraqi civil society and media to expose disinformation and protect protestors.
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- Designated militias and fighters: The bill would label eleven named Iran-backed militias as foreign terrorist organizations and require those designations within 90 days, while barring U.S. funding to those groups.
- Government of Iraq and security aid: It would prohibit U.S. security assistance to the Federal Government of Iraq unless four conditions are met to remove militia influence, with a presidential waiver option and annual Department of Defense review.
- Civil society and information efforts: The bill would require an unclassified interagency strategy within 180 days and a 60-day implementation plan to use intelligence and U.S. Agency for Global Media efforts to support Iraqi activists, journalists, and counter disinformation.
- Sanctions and energy limits: The Treasury must identify and sanction political figures, financiers, and facilitators within 180 days, naming individuals such as former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and the bill bans Iraqi imports of Iranian liquefied natural gas with Treasury penalties.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Terror labels and sanctions on militias
If enacted, the U.S. would take three steps against Iran-backed militias in Iraq. First, the Secretary of State would label listed groups as foreign terrorist organizations within 90 days. Second, Treasury would publish a report within 180 days naming key agents and facilitators, then sanction them under an existing order. Third, U.S. agencies would be barred from sending any funds to those militias or their members. These actions would cut support to the listed groups.
Limit U.S. security aid to Iraq
If enacted, federal agencies would be barred from sending funds to Iraq’s federal government. The President could waive the ban by certifying Iraq no longer supports Iran-backed militias. Or the President could certify Iraq is taking significant steps to remove such militias from its security forces and that a waiver is in the U.S. national security interest. The Defense Department would review Iraq’s support for these militias each year and reassess the ban. The restriction would take effect upon enactment.
Ban on Iraqi imports of Iranian gas
If enacted, Treasury would impose sanctions to stop Iraq’s government and Iraqi companies from importing liquefied natural gas from Iran. The ban would apply despite any other law. It would take effect upon enactment.
Plan to curb Iran's influence in Iraq
If enacted, State, Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media would deliver an unclassified strategy within 180 days. The plan would target dismantling Iran-backed militias, including the PMF, and support Iraqi civil society. It would outline when U.S. security aid to Iraq should stop unless Iraq dismantles militias, stops supporting terrorism, removes militias from all ministries, and ends their control of ministries. Intelligence and media steps would counter repression and disinformation. An implementation plan would be due within 60 days after the strategy.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
SC • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
AZ • R
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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