Secret Visit by Iranian Quds Force Commander to Baghdad Raises Regional Concerns

IRGC-Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday (April 19, 2026) for a secret visit lasting several hours, during which he met with leaders of the Coordination Framework and representatives of Tehran-backed armed factions. Senior Iraqi sources reported that Qaani discussed with Iraqi officials the repercussions of the war in the region and its impact on domestic affairs, while his meetings with factions focused on the issue of "factional weapons and management mechanisms." In controversial statements, Qaani criticized what he described as "foreign interference" in Iraqi affairs, in a clear reference to escalating American pressure. This marks Qaani's third visit to Iraq during the past six months, reflecting the level of Iranian interest in the Iraqi political scene amid the delicate government formation process.