US signals potential escalation in the Iran war

Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, has indicated that the United States' withdrawal from Iraq could lead to an expanded role for Iran-backed militias in the nation. This stance, despite Iraqi officials' commitments to regulate these groups, emerged as Iraq transitioned into a new security partnership with the US following the formal conclusion of the 12-year US-led mission to eradicate ISIS in the country on Wednesday.

The US exit has raised questions about the future involvement of Iran-backed armed groups. Initially, the Iraqi government had scheduled a deadline of September 30 for the US withdrawal date, coinciding with the end of the US-led mission. However, this deadline has been postponed to June of the following year.

Qaani, as reported by Iranian state media, attributed the US departure to the resistance of the Iraqi nation and the heroes of the Resistance Front. Earlier, the Kataib Hezbollah group, an Iran-backed militia, denied reaching an agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi on the disarmament of militias, just hours after the US troops left the country.

Qaani emphasized the ongoing presence of resistance in one of the region's most crucial areas, Iraq, expressing steadfastness and strategic planning in their path. He also highlighted the group's continuous role in conflicts and political crises across the Middle East, stemming from Iran's forward-defense strategy to safeguard the regime and project its influence.

Since Iran became directly involved in conflicts with Israel and the US, the country has increasingly relied on its proxies. There have been recent indications of a potential revival of the so-called Axis of Resistance, with the Houthis in Yemen increasingly assuming leadership as Hezbollah's military capabilities have been severely diminished.

Qaani called for strengthening the "belt of defense" comprising Iran-backed groups and the pursuit of independence and dignity throughout the Islamic world, extending from Afghanistan to Yemen, Iran to Gaza, and Lebanon. Following the US withdrawal from Iraq, the Iranian commander further asserted the elimination of remaining traces of US presence in the region.