Shafaq News – Tehran

Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani has warned allied armed forces in Iraq to brace for possible Israeli airstrikes and to guard against infiltration, according to a report by the Long War Journal.

The reported meeting in Baghdad marks a rare direct intervention, underscoring Tehran’s concerns about Israeli operations extending into Iraqi territory. While Iran-backed groups such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kataib Hezbollah, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have voiced support for Iran in recent weeks, they have largely refrained from active participation in the Iran-Israel conflict.

Analysts say the restraint reflects Tehran’s interest in preserving its political and economic stakes in Iraq. The country remains a vital economic corridor for Iran, generating an estimated $1B in illicit oil profits annually, with armed groups holding sway over key sectors and ministries within the ruling Coordination Framework.

During the recent 12-day war, only a handful of unclaimed drone and missile strikes occurred on Iraqi soil, including attacks on the Ain al-Asad base and the US consulate in Erbil. Despite rhetorical threats against the US and Israel, the armed groups have so far limited their engagement to public statements.

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