Iran's Quds Force head Esmail Qaani visited Baghdad to discuss Iraq's next prime minister and the future of Shi'ite militias amid US sanctions.
The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, visited Baghdad and held talks with political and militia leaders amid unresolved negotiations over who should be the next Iraqi prime minister, a source told Iraqi outlet Shafaq News on Saturday. This would represent Qaani's first visit outside of Iran since Operation Roaring Lion began on February 28. According to Agence France-Presse, Qaani's visit began on April 8.
Qaani, whose Quds Force is the main backer of the Shi'ite militias, met first with militia leaders before separately meeting with leaders of the Shi'ite Coordination Framework, which is a coalition of pro-Iran Shi'ite parties that forms the largest bloc within Baghdad's parliament. According to Shafaq's source, Qaani was attempting to reach an agreement on a consensus candidate to nominate as the prime minister.
Discussions also included the future of the terror militias, including proposals to integrate them into state security institutions and separate political and armed wings, Shafaq reported. The coordination framework initially sought to support Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister following January's elections, but US President Donald Trump emphasized at the time that his return to power would lead Washington to cut off aid. (Ed note: Is the IRGC's Qaani visiting Iraq to inquire if the Iraqi Shi'ite militias are prepared to attack Israel if directed?) (Read More)
