A visit by the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, to Baghdad has significantly reduced attacks on US forces in Iraq. This move comes as Tehran seeks to avert a larger conflict amid heightened regional tensions.
Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, traveled to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi armed factions. This visit, occurring less than 48 hours after an attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three US soldiers, aimed to de-escalate growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly those arising from Iran-aligned groups’ intensified actions against US targets in Iraq and Syria amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
During meetings held at Baghdad airport on January 29, Qaani conveyed Iran’s concern over the potential for a severe US response to continued attacks on American troops. He Reportedly advised the factions to temporarily halt their activities to avoid provoking retaliatory strikes that could target militia leaders, key infrastructure, or even lead to direct action against Iran.
The discussions led to a notable de-escalation, with Kataeb Hezbollah, a prominent Iranian-backed Shia militia in Iraq, announcing a suspension of its attacks against US forces. This marked a significant reduction in hostilities, with no attacks reported since February 4, in stark contrast to the more than 20 incidents recorded in the two weeks prior to Qaani’s intervention.
The cessation of attacks underscores the considerable influence Iran holds over armed groups in Iraq and signals a concerted effort by Tehran to prevent an escalation that could spiral Iran into the regional conflict.
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