The international community generally recognizes three elements for statehood: territory, population and recognition by other nation states. It is understood that these states must be sovereign, with the ability to enter into diplomatic and other relationships with its fellow states.

Many Western countries have reacted against IS and rejected its authority in Iraq and surrounding areas. For example, the US has lead airstrikes against IS, and Germany has banned support of IS in the country. Because of this lack of recognition by world powers, and the human rights violations that have occurred during the time IS has been in control, IS is not being recognized by other countries and global organizations. The UN has reported on the violence and potential war crimes in Iraq under IS, which may hinder the group if it were to seek statehood recognition.

The UN does not have the authority to grant official statehood to a country, but it can admit states to membership in the General Assembly after nine Council members vote to recommend admission and two-thirds of the Assembly votes to admit the state. After a state obtains the required votes, its membership in the UN becomes effective from the day the resolution passes. However, gaining admission to the UN does not result in immediate recognition by other countries, even the countries who are fellow UN members.

Since Iraq itself is a recognized state, it has the right to request aid to expel extra-governmental groups within its territory. In this case, ISIS would be considered a non-state actor, and therefore would not be recognized as a state on its own. Technically Iraq must consent to any armed invasion by other countries who would be in conflict with IS, and while Iraq did request such help from the US in June, the outcome remains unclear.