By Gloria Ogbonna
Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force — the foreign operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — resurfaced publicly in Baghdad on Saturday, marking his first high-profile appearance in months.
His visit comes at a pivotal moment for Iraq, as the country remains locked in a tense political struggle over who will occupy the prime minister’s office.
Qaani had maintained a notably low profile throughout the recent U.S.-Israeli tensions involving Iran. At one point in March, rumors circulated that he had been killed in an airstrike after he seemingly disappeared from public view. However, he reemerged in early April, issuing a congratulatory message to his forces for delivering what he described as “regrettable lessons to the enemies of humanity.”
Qaani assumed leadership of the Quds Force following the death of his predecessor, Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020. Soleimani had been coordinating with Iran-aligned Shiite militias in Iraq at the time of his death. Many of these militias were later incorporated into Iraq’s official security apparatus under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), originally mobilized to combat the Islamic State insurgency.
Rising Militia Activity and Regional Tensions
Since Soleimani’s death, Iranian-backed factions in Iraq have continued to exert influence and, at times, target U.S. military positions. Rebranding themselves as the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” (IRI), these groups have launched drone and rocket attacks, particularly in the Kurdistan region where American forces maintain bases, including near Erbil International Airport.
One of the most powerful militias, Kataib Hezbollah (KH), has openly called for a prolonged campaign aimed at forcing a complete U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Its co-founder, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was killed in the same 2020 airstrike that targeted Soleimani.
The resurgence of militia activity underscores Tehran’s enduring leverage in Iraq — influence that Qaani appeared intent on reinforcing during his visit.
A Political Vacuum in Baghdad
According to regional reports, Qaani met with pro-Tehran militia leaders and Shiite political figures during his stay in Baghdad. While officially framed as diplomatic engagement, the timing of the visit signals deeper involvement in Iraq’s internal political negotiations.
Iraq has been grappling with prolonged instability as it attempts to form a new government. The presidency was recently secured by Nizar Amidi of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan after a competitive election process. However, under Iraq’s constitution, the president has just 15 days to nominate a prime minister in coordination with the largest bloc in parliament — a deadline that historically proves difficult to meet. In past cycles, government formation has stretched on for months.
Iraq’s political system is structured around sectarian power-sharing: the president is traditionally Kurdish, the parliamentary speaker Sunni Arab, and the prime minister Shiite. The largest Shiite coalition, known as the Shia Coordination Framework, currently holds parliamentary weight but remains divided over its preferred candidate.
Competing Candidates and International Pressure
The current caretaker prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, retains significant backing to continue in office. However, influential members of the Shia Coordination Framework favor former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is widely viewed as more closely aligned with Tehran.
The United States has expressed opposition to Maliki’s potential return. In January, President Donald Trump publicly warned against Maliki’s appointment, calling him a “very bad choice” and citing concerns over governance during his previous tenure. Trump indicated that U.S. support for Iraq could be reconsidered if Maliki were reinstated.
Reports suggest Qaani’s visit may have been partially aimed at consolidating Shiite factions and preventing further fragmentation that could derail Iran’s strategic interests. Some sources claim Prime Minister Sudani invited Qaani to encourage compromise within the Shiite bloc — potentially to block Maliki or another hardline candidate from securing the nomination.
One alternative reportedly gaining traction is Bassem al-Badri, seen by some power brokers as a neutral figure who does not command his own party machinery, making him potentially more acceptable to competing factions.
Parallel Diplomatic Maneuvers
Adding another layer of complexity, Qaani’s visit coincided with that of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack. The simultaneous presence of Iranian and American representatives in Baghdad highlights Iraq’s delicate geopolitical balancing act.
Shortly before Qaani’s arrival, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting seven Iraqi militia commanders, including figures linked to Kataib Hezbollah. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Washington would not tolerate threats to American personnel or interests from Iranian-backed militias.
Observers note that these overlapping diplomatic efforts reflect the precarious state of Iraqi sovereignty, as domestic political deadlock intersects with regional power competition.
What Comes Next?
Despite public statements from Qaani asserting that the choice of prime minister belongs solely to the Iraqi people, his presence in Baghdad signals that Tehran remains deeply invested in shaping Iraq’s political future. At the same time, U.S. pressure and sanctions demonstrate Washington’s continued involvement.
With constitutional deadlines looming and factional divisions unresolved, Iraq once again finds itself navigating a fragile political landscape — one where internal rivalries and external influences remain tightly intertwined.
Source Breitbart
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