GOP lawmakers demand harsh sanctions on Iraq for aligning with Iran, while the U.S. expands visa restrictions on foreign censors of American speech.

Pressure Campaign Targets Baghdad and Global Speech Suppressors

In a renewed effort to counter Tehran's growing regional influence, two Republican lawmakers have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose sweeping sanctions on Iraq. In a joint letter, Representatives Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Greg Steube of Florida condemned what they described as Iraq’s “complete subjugation” to Iran, calling for a full suspension of U.S. aid and the enactment of “maximum pressure” measures to disrupt Iranian control.

The lawmakers argued that the current state of affairs in Baghdad undermines American sacrifices made during the Iraq War. “More than 4,400 American service members sacrificed their lives since the start of the Iraq War, yet today, Iraq stands as nothing more than a puppet of Tehran,” the letter stated. They blamed former President Barack Obama’s administration for empowering pro-Iranian factions and for decisions that led to the rise of ISIS.

Among the proposals is a demand to cut all foreign aid to Iraq, including military assistance and energy subsidies. The letter emphasized that Iran-backed militias now dominate Iraq’s government and security forces and referenced Iraq’s 2021 arrest warrant for President Donald Trump following the targeted strike on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

The Republicans urged further sanctions against Iraqi purchases of Iranian gas, the designation of the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces as a foreign terrorist group, and penalties against Iraqi political figures and state banks supporting Tehran’s regional ambitions. “We urge you to take immediate action to implement these necessary policies and ensure that American resources are no longer used to prop up Iran’s control over Iraq,” the letter concluded.

Rubio Enforces New Visa Restrictions Against Foreign Censors

In a parallel move underscoring the administration’s commitment to safeguarding American constitutional values, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa policy targeting foreign individuals who participate in suppressing Americans’ free speech. The restrictions aim to deny U.S. entry to officials who have penalized or harassed Americans for speech activities abroad.

“Free speech is essential to the American way of life – a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority,” Rubio declared. He emphasized that those complicit in censorship would no longer enjoy the privilege of traveling to the United States.

Vice President JD Vance also raised concerns about rising authoritarian tendencies in allied democracies. He criticized the European Union’s Digital Services Act and recent incidents in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany, portraying them as threats to the principle of free expression. “What I worry about is the threat from within – the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values,” he warned.

These dual initiatives reflect a broader strategy by the Trump administration to confront both international security challenges and ideological threats to American civil liberties. With Iran’s influence in Iraq seen as a geopolitical flashpoint, and censorship practices abroad under scrutiny, the administration is positioning itself as a global defender of American interests and values.

While no official response has yet been issued by Iraq’s government, the proposals signal a clear intensification of Washington’s pressure on Baghdad. Simultaneously, the visa restrictions indicate a growing willingness to retaliate against foreign entities that encroach on American freedoms—even beyond U.S. borders.