Religious freedom conditions in Iraq remained strained in 2026. The country maintains several laws that restrict freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), including its blasphemy and personal status laws. Iraq’s new government took encouraging steps to confront Iran-backed Iraqi militias, which are the biggest threat to religious freedom in the country. In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended Iraq for placement on the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom.