Surprise Visit by Iranian Quds Force Commander to Baghdad Sparks Controversy

The visit of IRGC-Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani to the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday (April 19, 2026) sparked a wave of questions and political analyses regarding its true objectives. Shafaq News agency reported that Qaani met during his visit with Coordination Framework leaders and representatives of armed factions, discussing with them the repercussions of the regional war on Iraq and the issue of managing factional weapons. In fiery statements, Qaani attacked what he described as "foreign interference" in Iraqi affairs, in a clear reference to American pressure. This surprise visit is considered evidence of the strategic depth of Iranian-Iraqi relations, especially amid the sensitive government formation process, where Tehran seeks to maintain its political and military influence inside Iraq.