Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, on an official visit to Baghdad, paid tribute at the site where former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a 2020 U.S. drone strike, according to Iranian reports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, on an official visit to Baghdad, visited the exact site in the Iraqi capital where former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed by a U.S. drone strike in January 2020, according to Iranian reports. The visit, reported from Sunday evening Jerusalem time, marks the latest development in Araghchi's trip, which began with his arrival in Baghdad earlier on Sunday. The symbolic gesture at the assassination site follows his earlier eulogy for Soleimani and al-Muhandis upon landing, as reported by Iranian outlets.
As The Zioneer previously reported, Araghchi landed in Baghdad on Sunday (June 28) amid reports of instability in Iraq. Initial reports, citing N12's foreign desk, stated that the visit was expected to focus on bilateral relations and coordination for the funeral ceremonies of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at holy sites in Iraq. By Saturday evening, the Iranian foreign minister had eulogized Soleimani and al-Muhandis upon arrival. The visit to the assassination site itself was reported later on Sunday, deepening the commemorative framing of the trip. Source quality across the thread has evolved from a single Israeli newsroom report to corroboration by Iranian state media.
Araghchi's visit to Iraq is part of a broader diplomatic push by Tehran. As The Zioneer reported on June 21, Araghchi met with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Tehran. He is also scheduled to visit Lebanon, as reported by The Zioneer on June 16 and June 21. The meeting with the Swiss foreign minister, who represents U.S. interests in Iran, and the planned Lebanon visit, underscore the regional scope of Araghchi's current engagements.
No further details on meetings or the specific purpose of the Iraq visit have been disclosed. The visit occurs against the backdrop of reported upheaval in Iraq, and the status of the planned Khamenei funeral coordination remains unconfirmed.
6 developments
- DevelopingIran launches ballistic missiles at Kuwait, FM Araghchi visits Soleimani assassination site in Baghdad
- StrongIranian FM Araghchi posts on X after US strikes, as diplomatic flurry continues
- StrongIranian FM Araghchi compares US and Israeli strikes to chemical weapons attack
- DevelopingIranian Foreign Minister Araghchi to visit Lebanon next week
Source and signal
- Internal intake