A report by the New York Times has claimed that Israeli forces operated at least two covert military bases in Iraq’s western desert, allegedly used to support operations against Iran during the 2025 conflict and the ongoing regional war with Tehran.
According to the report, one of the sites was discovered accidentally by a local Iraqi shepherd who reportedly came across a secured military installation in the desert. The report states that he observed soldiers, helicopters, and tents near a makeshift landing strip, before informing Iraqi regional military authorities.
Following the alert, Iraqi forces reportedly dispatched a reconnaissance unit to the area, which came under attack. One Iraqi soldier was killed, two were injured, and two vehicles were destroyed before the unit withdrew from the site, according to accounts cited in the report.
The New York Times said the incident led to internal confusion within Iraq’s security establishment. While Iraq’s Joint Operations Command publicly described the incident as an attack by “foreign forces,” officials reportedly refrained from naming Israel due to the absence of diplomatic ties and political sensitivity. Iraq maintains no formal relations with Israel and publicly considers it a hostile state.
The report further stated that Iraqi military leadership sought clarification from US military counterparts, who allegedly confirmed that the forces involved were not American, leading Iraqi officials to conclude that Israel was operating in the area.
According to the investigation, the covert facilities reportedly operated intermittently for over a year in Iraq’s western desert and were used during preparations and operations linked to the conflict with Iran. Regional security officials cited in the report said at least one of the bases predated the latest escalation and may have been established as early as late 2024 to reduce flight distances for Israeli air operations targeting Iran.
The report also claimed that the United States was aware of the existence of these facilities since mid-2025 or earlier, though it is unclear whether this information was shared with Iraqi authorities. Iraqi officials were also reportedly required to shut down radar systems during certain periods, increasing reliance on US coordination for airspace monitoring amid ongoing regional hostilities.
The allegations remain unconfirmed by Israel or independent official sources, and neither Israel nor the United States has publicly responded to the claims contained in the report. The situation highlights continuing covert dimensions of the broader Iran-related conflict and overlapping security operations across Iraq and the wider region.