Iranian Regime Urges Iraqi Militia to Retain Weapons Amid Baghdad Disarmament Push

13/08/2026

Iranian Regime Urges Iraqi Militia to Retain Weapons Amid Baghdad Disarmament Push

TEHRAN, Aug 13: IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani has reportedly urged Iran-aligned Iraqi armed factions to retain their weapons, according to Al Hadath, as Baghdad presses armed groups to place their weapons under state control.

Qaani made the remarks during a recent visit to Baghdad, where he met leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces, armed factions and members of the Coordination Framework, according to unnamed sources cited by the broadcaster.

The sources said Qaani criticized factions that had agreed to surrender their weapons, reportedly arguing that arms already handed over to the Iraqi government belonged to Iran. He also allegedly urged Iraqi factions to maintain their military capabilities and use their position as leverage in dealing with Washington.

According to the report, Qaani told Iraqi leaders that the government would be unable to prevail in any confrontation with the Iran-aligned armed groups. The reported comments come amid growing pressure from Baghdad for all weapons to be brought under state authority.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has reportedly instructed security forces to prepare to take action if armed factions refuse to surrender their weapons. The issue has become a major political and security challenge as Baghdad seeks to strengthen the authority of state institutions and prevent independent armed groups from operating outside government control.

Report: Iraqi Group Sends $400 Million a Month to Iran

Separately, Rudaw reported that an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group transfers around $400 million in cash to Iran every month, allegedly using trucks to transport the money across the border.

The report, citing a member of parliament’s Security and Defense Committee who attended a meeting with Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, said the group collects US dollars from Iraqi businesses and institutions before transferring the funds.

The lawmaker reportedly claimed that a single monthly shipment could amount to approximately four tonnes of cash. The allegations were discussed during a meeting between al-Zaidi and members of the parliamentary committee, according to Rudaw.

The reported financial transfers and Qaani’s alleged instructions come as Iraq faces renewed pressure to consolidate weapons and financial activities under state institutions, while maintaining a delicate balance between domestic political factions and powerful regional alliances.