Iran Tells Iraqi Proxy to Leave U.S. Alone

Iran is about to go easy on American targets in Iraq, according to Qatari news medium Al Araby, yesterday. A member of the Iran-backed Shia Coordination Framework claims that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (irgc) is pressuring its Iraqi partners to leave American targets alone.

Esmail Qaani, leader of the irgc’s Quds Force, visited Baghdad on August 15. He reportedly told the Iran-backed militia Ashab al-Khaf not to attack Iraqi convoys assisting United States forces. The group has been attacking the convoys since July. Critical Threats previously assessed that Qaani may have made similar orders to Iranian proxies in Iraq back in June.

Nuclear implications: Why is Iran holding back? The U.S. may have bought it off. Reports suggest the two are adhering to an informal nuclear deal: In exchange for Iran freezing its nuclear enrichment program, the U.S. promises sanctions relief and a prisoner swap.

The Quds Force is the irgc’s special operations unit. In 2020, the U.S. took out Quds Force leader Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s “super general” and whom the Trumpet called the “world’s most wanted man.” Since then, Iran has vowed revenge on those involved in Suleimani’s death. Yet his successor, Qaani, is now telling his subordinates to stand down. This may be Iran’s way of extending an olive branch to America. This signals Iran is getting what it wants with the negotiations and wants them to continue.

A new nuclear deal? Look for the Trumpet’s September issue to be posted today, which has an article on the informal nuclear deal. Until then, read our June web article “Iranian Politician: U.S. and Iran Want an ‘Unwritten’ Nuclear Deal.”