When Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaïdi took office in the spring, he pledged to disarm powerful Iran-backed militias by September 30, the date when the last U.S. forces would leave Iraq. This disarmament was requested by the United States, which had long viewed the presence of these militias as a challenge to regional stability. However, as summer progressed, Iraqi authorities began to admit that meeting this deadline was becoming increasingly unlikely, leading to uncertainty about the future of Iraq’s security landscape. In an interview with the New York Times on September 19, Al-Zaïdi sought to clarify the situation, stating that a “progressive disarmament plan” would be unveiled on September 30, with the goal of disarming the pro-Tehran militias by June 2027. The New York Times described this timeline as “exceptionally ambitious,” given Iraq’s delicate position between its two key allies, the United States and Iran, in a volatile Middle East. According to Al-Zaïdi, the disarmament plan would involve a “period of ninety days” during which the militias would stop all attacks and not be targeted by U.S. forces. After this period, the militias would begin laying down their arms, with the process expected to conclude by June 30, 2027. Some of the militias could be integrated into the Hachd Al-Chaabi, a coalition of Shia militias formed in 2014 to fight the Islamic State. While officially part of the Iraqi army, some of these groups remain closely aligned with Iran. However, the New York Times reported that the militias are pushing to delay the disarmament until the end of 2027, citing concerns about their security and influence. Regional diplomats and Iraqi security officials have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the proposed timeline, calling it “extremely precarious.” They argue that achieving such a goal during an ongoing war is “almost impossible,” particularly because pro-Iranian factions are deeply embedded in Iraq’s military, political, and economic systems. This deep integration makes it extremely difficult to control or restructure these groups. The challenge is compounded by the fact that these militias have played a significant role in Iraq’s recent history, including the fight against the Islamic State, and their influence is not easily removable. The proposed disarmament plan reflects the complex balancing act required by Iraq’s leadership, which must navigate tensions with both the United States and Iran. While the U.S. has long urged Iraq to reduce the influence of Iran-backed groups, the country’s political and security landscape makes such a goal difficult to achieve. Whether the timeline set by Al-Zaïdi can be met remains uncertain, but the plan underscores the ongoing struggle to redefine Iraq’s security structure in a region marked by conflict and shifting alliances.