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Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani visited Baghdad and held meetings with pro-Tehran militias and political leaders as a fragile ceasefire with the US holds, sources told The National.
The visit on Saturday came at a critical moment, as Iraq’s political factions look to fill the post of prime minister after weeks of deadlock. There is division among Shiites over the selection of a candidate who is accepted by both Washington and Tehran.
Brig Gen Qaani’s presence in Baghdad is significant. He has not been seen publicly since the outbreak of the Iran war and his visit signals Tehran’s direct involvement in shaping Iraq’s government and orchestrating the activities of armed factions.
Acknowledging his visit, Brig Gen Qaani said he travelled to Baghdad to express Iran's appreciation for “solidarity and co-operation” shown by Iraq.
“Iraq is too great for anyone to interfere in its affairs, especially war criminals, particularly those who have committed crimes against humanity,” he added in a statement, referring to the US. “The selection of the prime minister rests entirely with the Iraqi people."
While in Baghdad, he “discussed the current situation in the region and how it has impacted Iraq, as well as the efforts for de-escalation", a Shiite politician said. Brig Gen Qaani held separate meetings with political leaders and senior commanders of armed factions, the politician added.
“The unity of Iran’s allies in Iraq is essential for Tehran,” another politician said. “He urged them to end the political wrangling and reach an agreement on a candidate for the prime minister post to have a government as soon as possible.”
Iraq held national elections last November but the situation has become more complicated with the strengthening of pro-Iran blocs, giving them significant parliamentary influence.
On April 11, Nizar Amedi, a Kurd and former minister of environment, was elected as President. The Iraqi constitution stipulates the president has 15 days to task the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a government.
The main nominees to become prime minister are Nouri Al Maliki, who held the role before but has been rejected by Washington because of his ties to Tehran and its proxies. Current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani could also be asked to continue in the role. Other compromise candidates are being considered.
The Shiite Co-ordination Framework, a coalition of Iran-aligned parties that forms the largest bloc in Parliament, met late on Monday in what was seen to be a decisive meeting to discuss nominations, but failed to select a candidate. CF secretary general Amir Al Amiri said the group "needs more time" to continue the discussions and that the next meeting will be on Wednesday.
For Iran, securing a favourable prime minister is key to maintaining influence in Baghdad and ensuring co-ordination with allied armed groups that joined the region conflict by launching attacks against US troops in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.
After the war began, Iran-backed militias under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for drone and rocket attacks on US troops. The groups carried out the attacks in support of Tehran and to put pressure on Washington.
Meanwhile on Monday, the US embassy in Baghdad said that pro-Iran militias “continue to plot additional attacks against US citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq”.
It added that “some elements associated with the Iraqi government continue to actively provide political, financial, and operational cover for these terrorist militias”.
With militias having announced a two-week suspension of operations, Tehran’s engagement with Iraq now appears aimed at “locking in political gains before any de-escalation terms are finalised”, another politician said.
Iraqi government officials have not yet publicly commented on Mr Qaani's visit.
