SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force Esmail al-Qaani has given the “green light” to the Iraqi government to strike “unruly militias” that are not subjected to Tehran’s order, a politician said on Saturday.
Atheel al-Nujaifi, a leader in the Iraqi front led by his brother Osama al-Nujaifi, said Qaani had given the green light to the federal government during his latest visit to Baghdad, according to Shafaq news.
“Qaani’s recent visit to Baghdad gave the green light to strike the unruly militias that are not committed to Iran’s interest in avoiding the armed conflict with the United States,” Shafaq news quoted Nujaifi as saying.
The Iraqi media cited a source as saying on Wednesday that Qaani had made a “quick visit” to Baghdad last week, confirming to the federal government that Iran was not behind the recent attack on the U.S. embassy.
A volley of rockets exploded near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Sunday night, as tensions mount ahead of the anniversary of the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Iraqi soil.
Trump said the rockets on Sunday were from Iran and “we hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.”
“Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over,” Trump said.
U.S. Central Command said that Sunday’s attack was “almost certainly” conducted by an “Iranian-backed Rogue Militia Group.”
The Iraqi military blamed the rocket strike, which caused minor damage, on an “outlaw group”.
Iran foreign minister dismisses Trump’s tweet that Tehran behind attack on U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
