Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has welcomed the completion of the US military withdrawal from Iraq, describing it as a “historic victory” and saying it could mark the beginning of a broader American withdrawal from West Asia.

In a statement, the IRGC said the departure reflected what it described as the Iraqi people’s determination to protect their independence. It called on the United States to leave the wider region and allow regional countries to manage their own security.

The US military completed its withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, ending the coalition’s 12-year military mission against Islamic State. The pullout followed a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad, with the United States continuing to provide Iraq with training and intelligence support.

The withdrawal has been welcomed by Iran and allied groups, while concerns remain over Iraq’s security environment and the possibility of increased influence by Iran-backed militias or renewed activity by Islamic State.

The IRGC said the US departure represented a broader shift in the region, while Washington has described the move as the planned conclusion of its Iraq mission.