Kathmandu— Esmail Qaani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier this week to engage in discussions surrounding Iraq’s efforts to disarm armed groups and consolidate weapons control under the state. The meetings involved Iraqi political and security leaders, as well as commanders from Shia paramilitaries, according to a source within Iraq's Coordination Framework. Tehran reportedly communicated through Qaani its opposition to immediate disarmament, fearing it could trigger renewed conflict in the region as a September 30 deadline for implementation approaches.

Iranian Concerns Over Disarmament

The Iraqi source revealed that Iran conveyed a message via Qaani urging a political compromise rather than forceful disarmament of factions refusing to relinquish their weapons. Tehran reportedly believes a new round of war could erupt if the government proceeds with strict enforcement of its plan. This stance reflects concerns about the potential destabilization of Iraq and the broader regional implications of disarming pro-Iran armed groups.

Iraqi Government Faces Mounting Pressure

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is navigating a complex political and security crisis as the deadline for restricting weapons to state control nears. He recently informed parliament of his government’s commitment to a 2024 agreement with the US-led coalition, aiming to end its combat role by September's end. Al-Zaidi has also engaged in diplomatic efforts, visiting both Washington and Tehran last month to discuss the disarmament plan and Baghdad’s relationship with Iran.

Paramilitary Resistance and Legal Framework

While some armed groups have expressed willingness to integrate into Iraq’s official security forces, others—including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba—remain defiant. The State Administration Coalition has called for restricting weapons to the state and labeled any non-compliant armed activity as illegal, hinting at potential application of anti-terrorism laws after the deadline. Meanwhile, Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Hikma Movement, is reportedly working to de-escalate tensions and persuade factions towards disarmament.

Regional Security Implications

Ghazi Faisal, head of the Iraqi Center for Strategic Studies, warned that continued possession of arms by Iraqi factions could escalate into a wider security crisis. He suggested that such groups’ use of Iraqi territory to target neighboring countries might provoke direct responses or lead to new regional security alliances focused on countering perceived threats. According to Faisal, “a state that does not monopolise the decision to use force cannot fully guarantee its national security.”

Recent tensions were briefly heightened last week following armed faction threats in response to joint Saudi-US attacks targeting Popular Mobilisation Forces sites, but diplomatic efforts have so far succeeded in de-escalating the situation and opening a path for further dialogue.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.