'Iran Quds Force chief asked Iraq to delay state arms monopoly - Al Arabiya'

 

Iran's Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani asked the Iraqi government during a recent secret visit to postpone efforts to enforce a state monopoly on weapons, Al Arabiya English reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Qaani told Iraqi leaders that moving to bring weapons solely under state control at this time would be viewed as "a stab in the back" to Iran, according to the report.

He also said enforcing a state monopoly on arms in Iraq could pave the way for efforts to control Iran-aligned factions in other countries, the sources told Al Arabiya.

The Quds Force is the foreign operations arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and has long maintained close ties with armed groups in Iraq and elsewhere in the region.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202608128625