Iranian Quds Force chief meets Iraqi leaders to discuss weapons disarmament plan

A source inside the Coordination Framework confirmed that Esmail Qaani, head of the IRGC’s Quds Force, made an unannounced trip to Baghdad this week, holding behind-the-scenes meetings with Iraqi political figures, security chiefs and Shia militia commanders. The agenda centered on the Iraqi government’s plan to force all armed groups to surrender weapons to the state by the September 30 deadline, a move aimed at preventing a fresh round of fighting.

Tehran, through Qaani, signalled that it opposes immediate hand-overs but urges a political compromise to avoid confrontation. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, facing a growing crisis, has urged parliament to pass a draft law limiting private arms and cited a 2024 deal with the U.S.-led coalition to withdraw combat troops by the end of September. While several militias have agreed to integrate into the national forces, hard-line groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba continue to resist, risking derailment of the plan. Regional analysts warn that unchecked militia arsenals could spill over into broader Gulf security tensions.