Saudi Al-Hadath reports, citing its sources, that IRGC Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani has arrived in Iraq and met with senior pro-Iranian militia and party leaders. According to the report, the discussions center on the Iraqi government's initiative to disarm the militias. A source told Shafaq News the talks are also expected to address an arrangement allowing Iraq to export its oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
This bulletin updates The Zioneer's earlier report from Tuesday at 05:55 Jerusalem. Saudi Al-Hadath now reports, citing its sources, that IRGC Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani's ongoing meetings in Baghdad are focused on two issues: the Iraqi government's initiative to disarm pro-Iranian militias, and an arrangement for Iraq to export its oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, an Iraqi source told Shafaq News that the talks are expected to address the Hormuz export framework.
The visit was first reported Monday evening (23:24 Jerusalem) when the Qatari outlet Al Hadath said Qaani had arrived in the Iraqi capital. Within hours, i24NEWS reported that he had met with the leadership of the Iraqi militia union, followed by Saudi Al-Arabiya's confirmation and then Iranian media reports that he met with senior pro-Iranian militia leaders. The Zioneer aggregated those reports in a bulletin published at 05:55 Jerusalem on Tuesday. The latest reporting adds specific agenda details to what was initially an unconfirmed visit.
The significance of the visit is set against the background of Iraq's July decision to declare Qaani persona non grata and order his expulsion, as The Zioneer reported on July 8 — a move that indicated Baghdad's desire to curb Iranian influence. The Strait of Hormuz dimension further ties into the broader confrontation between the United States and Iran, where the IRGC has repeatedly targeted commercial shipping (as covered by The Zioneer on July 29). Qaani's role as the overseer of Iran's network of Iraqi militias — including reports of covert IRGC cells operating beyond the regular militia command (as covered June 19) — makes the disarmament initiative a direct test of Tehran's willingness to curb its own instruments of influence.
No official statement has been issued by the Iraqi government or by Iranian authorities regarding Qaani's visit or the reported agenda. The duration of his stay and the outcome of the meetings remain unconfirmed.
5 developments
- DevelopingIRGC Quds Force chief Qaani meets with Iraqi militia leader during Khamenei funeral visit
- DevelopingIraq declares IRGC Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani persona non grata, orders expulsion
- StrongQatari mediators continue talks with Iran to secure IRGC support for Hormuz compromise
- DevelopingYair Goldblatt: Ismail Qaani expected to step down as IRGC Quds Force commander
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