A burgeoning grassroots movement known as "Iraq Only," spearheaded by young Iraqi activists, is gaining traction with its ambitious goal of fostering stronger relations with the United States while simultaneously pushing back against the pervasive influence of Iranian militias within the country. The campaign, characterized by the symbolic act of placing stickers featuring the Iraqi flag over images of militia leaders, represents a yearning for a democratic, citizen-centric Iraq free from external interference.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Muqtada al-Tamimi, a businessman in his late 20s and one of the movement's key figures, shared his experiences with social activism, the group's vision for Iraq's future, and the personal risks involved, including his own kidnapping and torture at the hands of Iranian-backed groups. Al-Tamimi and fellow activists endured five days of captivity, subjected to physical abuse, interrogation, and the unlawful seizure of their personal belongings.

A deliveryman in Baghdad drives past billboards displaying Iranian and Hezbollah leaders. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images)

"We, as activists, bear the brunt of Iran's influence in Iraq," al-Tamimi stated. "Many of us have faced kidnapping, illegal detention, and even death for simply advocating for our own national identity and waving the Iraqi flag." He emphasized the unchecked power wielded by Iranian militias, who operate outside the bounds of Iraqi law and show blatant disregard for citizens' rights.

A poster from the "Iraq Only" movement promoting the expulsion of Iranian influence.

The movement's vision centers on a robust Iraqi economy integrated with the West, believing this alliance will pave the way for stability and prosperity. This aspiration aligns with the anxieties of Tehran's leadership, who view a Western-aligned Iraq as a direct threat to their regional ambitions. The activists also express support for the continued presence of U.S. forces in Iraq, seeing it as a stabilizing factor rather than an infringement on sovereignty.

Over 300 Iraqis gathered in Erbil in 2021 to discuss normalizing relations with Israel. (Safin Hamid/AFP via Getty Images)

The seeds of this activism were sown in 2021 at a conference in Erbil, where hundreds of Iraqis from diverse backgrounds called for peace and normalization with Israel. This bold move drew immediate backlash from Iranian-backed militias and the Iraqi government, highlighting the contentious nature of their vision. Joseph Braude, founder and president of the Center for Peace Communications (CPC), which facilitated the conference, praised the "Iraq Only" movement as a reflection of the Iraqi people's desire for peace and an end to Iranian control.

A member of the Islamic Movement of Iraq displays images of Iranian leaders during a Baghdad rally. (Murtaja Lateef/AFP via Getty Images)

Al-Tamimi acknowledges the sacrifices made by American forces in Iraq and expresses a desire for a strong partnership with both the U.S. and Israel. He views Israel as a potential ally in building a stronger Iraq and believes that normalizing relations would be mutually beneficial. He also sees the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria as a positive development that weakens Iran's regional influence and offers hope for a more peaceful future in the Middle East.