Report: Iran's Revolutionary Guard behind secret drone attacks on neighbors

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has allegedly formed clandestine cells in Iraq to carry out drone attacks against neighboring countries, according to eight Iraqi sources cited by Reuters. These groups reportedly conducted at least seven drone strikes between April 20 and May 17 targeting locations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The targets included facilities like Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces, and a military terminal at Kuwait International Airport. While Reuters could not independently verify these specific claims, the reports suggest a new tactic by Iran to exert regional influence.

Each cell is said to comprise about ten Iraqi Shia Muslim soldiers, some affiliated with the Islamic Resistance Movement in Iraq. Crucially, these units reportedly report directly to the IRGC, bypassing established militia command structures. This direct line of command is seen as a departure from previous operations.

According to Reuters, this shift represents Iran's attempt to sustain its military presence and influence in the region despite the weakening of traditional allied militias and the country's own economic constraints. The new groups are described as smaller, more ideologically driven, and under stricter control, reflecting Iran's need to conserve resources during a period of economic strain.

This intelligence emerges shortly after a temporary agreement between the U.S. and Iran to end a conflict and begin nuclear program negotiations. However, the agreement reportedly does not address Iran's support for armed groups in the region. Retired Iraqi army general Jasim al-Bahadli commented that these newer groups appear more resource-efficient and tightly controlled, aligning with Iran's current economic pressures.

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The newer groups seem to be smaller, more ideologically oriented, and under stricter control. They reflect Iran's need to save resources in a time of economic pressure.