# Plain Language Summary: Free Iraq from Iran Act

This bill directs the U.S. government to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing Iran's influence over Iraq's government and military forces. The bill specifically targets Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq, which the bill characterizes as destabilizing forces. Within six months of the bill becoming law, the State Department, Treasury Department, and U.S. Agency for Global Media must create and submit a detailed plan to Congress outlining how the U.S. will support Iraqi efforts to counter these militias and Iranian influence.

The strategy must address several key areas: dismantling Iranian-backed militias (particularly the Popular Mobilization Forces), stopping U.S. military aid to Iraq unless certain conditions are met, and supporting Iraqi civil society groups opposing Iranian influence. The bill also calls for expanded U.S. media broadcasting into Iraq to expose what it describes as corruption and human rights abuses by these militias, as well as intelligence efforts to monitor and counter Iranian disinformation campaigns.

The bill takes several concrete enforcement steps. It requires the State Department to officially designate ten specific Iraqi militias and any organizations affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organizations within 90 days. It also prohibits the U.S. government from spending any money to support these designated militias or their members. Additionally, the bill stops all U.S. military and security assistance to Iraq's government unless the President certifies that Iraq is no longer supporting Iranian-backed militias or is taking significant steps to remove them from its security forces. The bill also directs the Treasury Department to impose financial sanctions on specific Iraqi political figures, military leaders, and financial institutions identified as supporting Iranian interests.

For average Americans, this bill primarily affects U.S. foreign policy and military spending priorities in the Middle East rather than domestic life. It represents a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches its relationship with Iraq, potentially reducing military aid and cooperation while increasing pressure on Iraq's government to distance itself from Iran.