The Iraqi government has postponed the end date of the US-led international coalition mission in the country, citing the situation in the Middle East.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said both sides were approaching an agreement on the withdrawal date, but “recent events” have pushed back the announcement.

Baghdad fears an escalation in the region as Iran prepares to launch a massive rocket attack on Israel. The country's authorities have also faced an increase in terrorist attacks organized by the Islamic State (IS) group over the past six months.

Because of these events, Baghdad does not intend to request the withdrawal of foreign troops from its territory yet.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry emphasized that there were no US combat units on the territory of the country. There is a mission of military advisers operating under the auspices of the international coalition to combat terrorism deployed in the country. These advisers report to the Joint High Military Commission, which was created by Iraq and the United States when forming the military mission in 2015-2016.

At the same time, the agency emphasized that even after the end of the coalition's activities to combat ISIS, military advisers will remain in Iraq to train the country's armed forces.

Earlier, rumors appeared online that Iraq planned to wind down the coalition's activities by the end of 2024. Later, a mission consisting of high-ranking Pentagon officers arrived in Baghdad and persuaded the country's authorities to extend the deployment of foreign troops for an indefinite period.