Iraq's Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia said it would not abandon Tehran or surrender its weapons under pressure, accusing the Iraqi government of cooperating with Washington in efforts to isolate Iran.
Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, the group's security chief said in a statement that Kataib Hezbollah would stand by its allies in Yemen and Lebanon "until the last breath" and would not allow Iran to face attacks from its enemies alone.
Al-Assaf also accused Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi of participating in US efforts to isolate Iran and held him responsible for any attacks on the group's positions or units of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
"We hold al-Zaidi fully responsible for any attack on the headquarters of the Islamic Resistance or certain headquarters and forces of the Popular Mobilization Forces," he said.