Iran's Qaani Secretly Visits Baghdad to Warn Against Disarming Iraqi Militias

General Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, reportedly made a secret, unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier this week to deliver a firm message from Tehran opposing the disarmament of Iraqi armed factions. According to a source within the Coordination Framework, a political umbrella for Shia parties, Qaani held closed-door meetings with political leaders, security officials, and paramilitary commanders, insisting that factions must not surrender their weapons at this time. The source added that Iran anticipates the potential for a new round of regional warfare.

The visit puts Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in a difficult position as he faces a political and security crisis ahead of a 30 September deadline to restrict all weapons to state control. Al-Zaidi has previously stated his government’s commitment to implementing an agreement with the US-led coalition military mission. While some armed groups have agreed to integrate into the official armed forces, powerful factions such as Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed.

Regional tensions have escalated sharply following a late July barrage of cross-border attacks. In response, the United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes targeting Iranian proxy logistics sites in Iraq. The situation has prompted neighbouring countries to pressure Baghdad to rein in the pro-Iran militias, while the US and Iran agreed to extend a ceasefire following the expiration of the Islamabad Memorandum on 17 August.