Iran’s Esmail Qaani in Baghdad to unify loyal militias before elections, target US presence Among the goals is to pressure Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to end his rapprochement with Washington and reverse his policy of openness toward Iraq’s Arab neighbours. Thursday 08/04/2021 BAGHDAD – Iran is redoubling its efforts to ensure its continued control over Iraq. This explains the unannounced visit to Baghdad by the commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Esmail Qaani, at the same time that the strategic dialogue started between Baghdad and Washington. Qaani held meetings with militia leaders in Iraq about unifying their ranks before the elections and coordinating their plans to target the US presence as they try to push Washington to withdraw its forces from Iraq.