Iranian commander Esmail Qaani arrived in Baghdad on Saturday for talks with Iraqi political leaders and armed groups, according to a senior official.
His visit comes at a sensitive time, as tensions in the region remain high and Iraq is still dealing with political uncertainty at home.
Qaani, who leads the Quds Force, is expected to discuss the ongoing Middle East conflict and how it could affect Iraq. Officials say one of his main goals is to support de-escalation and prevent the security situation from worsening.
He is also holding meetings with leaders of armed factions, aiming to coordinate positions among groups aligned with Tehran during this tense period.
At the same time, Iraq’s internal political crisis is part of the discussion. The country has been facing a deadlock over choosing a new prime minister, with disagreements continuing for months.
According to sources, Iran is also trying to help ease tensions between Iraqi political groups and push toward some level of agreement.
Iraq has long been in a difficult position, balancing relations between Iran and the United States. Recent regional conflict has made that balance even more fragile.
Reports suggest that political blocs may soon move toward selecting a new candidate for prime minister, which could help break the current stalemate.
For now, Qaani’s visit highlights how closely Iraq’s internal politics are tied to wider regional developments.
