Report Claims Israel Built Secret Military Base in Iraq During Iran War

Image Credits: Image Title: Report Claims Israel Built Secret Military Base in Iraq During Iran War. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: May 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.

By Open Chronicle with agencies

Israel reportedly established a secret military base inside Iraq during the recent conflict with Iran, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

The report, citing people familiar with the matter, including US officials, claimed the clandestine installation was built in the Iraqi desert shortly before the start of the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

According to the newspaper, the facility served as a logistical hub for Israeli air operations and housed special forces personnel as well as search-and-rescue teams prepared to assist downed pilots.

Base Allegedly Built With US Knowledge

The Wall Street Journal reported that the base was constructed with the knowledge of the United States.

The installation allegedly played a key role in supporting Israeli military operations targeting Iran during the conflict.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims contained in the report.

There was also no immediate public response from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iraqi Troops Nearly Discovered Site

According to the report, the secret base was nearly uncovered in early March after a local shepherd reportedly noticed unusual helicopter activity in the remote area and alerted authorities.

Iraqi troops were then dispatched to investigate the location.

The Wall Street Journal claimed Israeli forces responded by launching airstrikes designed to prevent Iraqi troops from approaching the installation and discovering its existence.

The report said the strikes were intended to keep Iraqi forces at a distance long enough to preserve the secrecy of the operation.

Iraq Filed a Complaint at the United Nations

The newspaper also referenced a complaint submitted by Iraq to the United Nations later in March.

In the complaint, Iraqi authorities reportedly described an attack involving foreign forces and airstrikes, initially attributing responsibility to the United States.

However, according to the report, a source familiar with the matter stated that American forces were not directly involved in the attack itself.

The incident has added another layer of complexity to regional tensions already heightened by the Iran conflict and disputes involving foreign military activity inside Iraq.

Regional Fallout Continues

The revelations come as questions continue to emerge about covert military operations conducted during the war between Israel, the United States, and Iran.

The conflict significantly reshaped regional security dynamics, drawing in multiple countries and increasing fears of a broader Middle East confrontation.

Analysts say the existence of a covert Israeli installation inside Iraq, if confirmed, would represent a highly sensitive development given Baghdad’s delicate political balancing act between Washington, Tehran, and regional allies.

The Iraqi government has repeatedly sought to limit unauthorized foreign military operations on its territory while managing pressure from both Western allies and Iran-backed factions inside the country.

Questions Remain Unanswered

Neither Israeli nor American officials have publicly confirmed the existence of the alleged base.

The Wall Street Journal report nevertheless intensified debate about the scale of covert coordination and intelligence operations carried out during the conflict.

Military analysts note that remote desert regions in western and northern Iraq have long been strategically significant for surveillance operations, air logistics, and regional military activity due to their proximity to Iran and Syria.

For now, many aspects of the alleged operation remain unclear, including how long the base functioned, the scale of Israeli deployments, and whether any part of the installation remains active.