Latest news with #Qaani
Shafaq News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iran's Qaani courts Arab support in Baghdad before key summit
Shafaq News/ The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, held a series of private meetings in Baghdad on Thursday with senior leaders of Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework to discuss regional developments and Tehran's strategic objectives ahead of the upcoming Arab League Summit. A political source told Shafaq News that Qaani met with prominent figures including State of Law leader Nouri al-Maliki and Badr Organization chief Hadi al-Amiri. Discussions reportedly focused on garnering Arab support for Iran's nuclear file and advancing a balanced agreement to avoid escalation in the region. Qaani also addressed the regional implications of Syria's new leadership under transitional President Ahmad al-Shara, emphasizing the need to engage with Damascus in a way that promotes regional stability. The talks included Iran's request for Iraq's mediation in recovering financial debts owed by Syria, which could resume flowing with the anticipated lifting of sanctions. The meetings touched on Turkiye's military presence in northern Iraq. Qaani reportedly encouraged Iraqi leaders to press Ankara—through coordinated political and diplomatic channels—for a phased withdrawal. The Quds Force commander is expected to hold a broader meeting on Friday with the Coordination Framework's leadership to consolidate viewpoints on shared regional issues. Qaani arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday and met with Iraq's National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji. According to an official statement, they discussed security cooperation and the implementation of the 2023 bilateral security agreement. Both sides underscored the need for successful dialogue between Washington and Tehran to reduce tensions and stabilize the region. A separate political source told Shafaq News that Qaani's visit carries several objectives, chief among them 'rallying Arab support to ease international sanctions on Iran and incorporating Tehran's demands into the summit's final agenda.' The source added that Qaani is briefing Iraqi leaders on ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations, seeking firm guarantees from Washington to ensure the durability of any future agreement. He is also reinforcing Iran's commitment to security, economic, and political cooperation with Iraq. The 2025 Arab League Summit is set to be held in Baghdad this Saturday, with full diplomatic representation from Arab states. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani earlier agreed to unify Iraq's political message at the summit, reaffirming Baghdad's support for the Palestinian cause and for Gaza.
Shafaq News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Arab Summit: Qaa'ani urges Baghdad to include "Iran's wishes" on the agenda
Shafaq News/ Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani's visit to Baghdad aimed to advance key Iranian objectives, including securing Arab support for lifting sanctions and incorporating Tehran's proposals into the agenda of the upcoming Arab League summit, a senior source told Shafaq News on Wednesday. During his meeting with Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, Qaani discussed the joint border security issues, focusing on ways to implement the provisions of the 2023 security agreement between Baghdad and Tehran. According to the source, Qaani, who arrived on Wednesday, is expected to discuss the Iranian-American negotiations and hold separate meetings with leaders of the Coordination Framework to brief them on their developments, regional implications, and potential impact on stability. Tehran, the source noted, is seeking Arab support to expedite a nuclear deal and secure credible guarantees from Washington, in light of a broader Arab consensus on resolving this issue and avoiding further regional escalation. Iraq is set to host the Arab Summit on Saturday, with participation from a wide range of regional delegations. 'Qaani's visit is part of a wider Iranian initiative to relay messages to the United States, underscoring Tehran's partnership with Baghdad,' the source added. Earlier, Iranian officials have sharply criticized US President Donald Trump's recent statements about Iran, accusing him of 'distorting the truth' and attempting to shift blame for regional instability.
Shafaq News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Quds Force leader arrives in Baghdad
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani arrived in Baghdad for an official visit. Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem Al-Araji revealed on X that he received General Qaani and discussed ways to strengthen Iraqi-Iranian relations, enhance border security cooperation, and follow up on the implementation of the bilateral security agreement, affirming the importance of successful negotiations between Washington and Tehran. استقبلنا قائد فيلق قدس الإيراني الجنرال إسماعيل قاآني، الذي يزور بغداد، وبحثنا معه سبل تطوير العلاقات العراقية - الإيرانية، والجهود المشتركة لتأمين الحدود ومراحل تنفيذ بنود الإتفاق الأمني بين البلدين، وشددنا على أهمية نجاح المفاوضات بين واشنطن وطهران، وإلتزام الجميع بالحوار… — قاسم الاعرجي (@qassimalaraji) May 14, 2025 Qaani's arrival in Baghdad marks his third known visit in 2025. His previous unannounced trips, in January and March, focused on regional security coordination, de-escalation efforts amid rising US-Iran tensions, and direct engagement with Iraqi faction leaders and government officials.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Sources: Qaani Warns Iraqi Factions against Provoking the Americans
Trusted sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Forces Esmail Qaani has warned Iraqi armed factions 'against provoking the Americans and Israelis' or risk the US attacking them the way it is the Houthis in Yemen. The pro-Iran factions in Iraq have for weeks been toning down their rhetoric and hostile activity after coming under international pressure and given the American strikes against the Houthis. The sources revealed that Qaani had delivered his message from the Iranian leadership during a recent visit to Iraq. He asked them against carrying out 'any military activity during their critical phase.' 'A single spark could ignite the Iraqi front,' he warned. The factions were 'relieved' by the message given the pressure they have been facing for months, said the sources. Tehran believes that the US 'will not hesitate in attacking Iraq if the factions there act to support the Houthis,' they went on to say. Media reports said Qaani had visited Baghdad last week where he met with politicians in the pro-Iran Coordination Framework and leaders of armed factions. His visits are often held in secret but not this time. Qaani reiterated Tehran's 'commitment to supporting its allies in Baghdad should they come under American pressure,' added the reports. Houthis shut Iraqi HQ Meanwhile, the Yemeni Houthis shut a 'strategic' headquarters in a high-class neighborhood near the Green Zone in Baghdad, revealed the sources. They told Asharq Al-Awsat that a Shiite party from the Framework had helped the Houthis set up the headquarters in 2023. The facility had raised Houthi banners and posters of its leader Abdel Malik al-Houthi. The sources explained that the position oversaw business and media operations in Baghdad that intensified after Hamas' al-Aqsa Flood Operation against Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war on Gaza and prompted the Houthis to start attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthi center was shut in wake of the US strikes on Yemen and at the 'firm advice of a Shiite faction,' said the sources. The Houthis complied with the demand and shut the center after noting the Shiite consensus in Baghdad on halting any provocative acts. The Houthis boast two other centers in Baghdad and another in southern Iraq that they may also close under pressure from the Framework. The Iraqi government had denied a Foreign Policy report that the Houthis were training their members in the Diyala province. On March 18, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani the military operations aimed at 'eliminating the Houthi threat to American commerce and restoring American freedom of navigation,' said the Pentagon. Meanwhile, the legitimate Yemeni government confirmed that it was 'monitoring Houthi militia activity in any country and the harm they are causing to Arab national security.' In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani called on the Iraqi government to 'stand firmly against any Houthi media, political or logistic activity on Iraqi territories.' He urged it to take 'clear steps to ensure that Iraq is not used as a platform or a haven for any entity that threatens the security of Yemen or the region.' The Yemeni government 'is confident that Iraq will not allow itself to be part of the chaos that Iran is seeking to impose through its proxies in the region,' he added. For a week, the US has been striking Houthi positions in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and the provinces of Saada, al-Bayda and al-Jawf in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping. US President Donald Trump vowed to 'annihilate' the Houthis, warning Iran against continuing to support them. The Houthis remained defiant, saying they will continue to attack American vessels in the Red Sea.
Shafaq News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
EXCLUSIVE: Iran's Qaani in Baghdad for high-level talks
Shafaq News/ Iran's Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani made an unannounced visit to Baghdad for high-level discussions with Iraqi political and military leaders, a senior source told Shafaq News. Qaani met with leaders of the Coordination Framework, commanders of armed factions, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and Iran's ambassador to Iraq. Talks focused on Iraq's neutrality in regional conflicts, particularly in Syria, and the need to keep security control under state authority. The meeting also addressed the fallout from recent US airstrikes on Yemen's Houthis (Ansarallah) and broader regional developments. According to the source, Qaani conveyed Tehran's position, urging Iraq to maintain its balanced stance and avoid aligning with any party. However, he warned that 'Iran would not remain silent if Iraq were targeted by Israeli strikes,' pledging support for 'any response' from the Iraqi government or allied factions. Qaani's visit comes amid growing US pressure on Baghdad. Sources revealed that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Sunday, issued a strong warning. He cautioned that any intervention by Iraqi armed factions against US operations targeting the Houthis in Yemen would trigger an American military response inside Iraq. Hegseth also urged al-Sudani to accelerate efforts to disarm and dismantle these factions, a key priority for President Donald Trump's administration. In response, al-Sudani reportedly affirmed that his government is in dialogue with armed groups to find a resolution. The warnings come as Israel resumes airstrikes on Gaza, ending a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January. They also coincide with US strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen following threats to maritime navigation, as new Iraqi armed factions emerge, vowing "jihad" to defend Iraq and Yemen against US military operations.
