{
  "id": 11426432,
  "title": "Iran's proxy chief signals push for long-term militia role in Iraq after US withdrawal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/irans-proxy-chief-signals-push-for-long-term-militia-role-in-iraq-11426432",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T10:29:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/02/irans-proxy-chief-signals-push-for-long-term-militia-role-in-iraq-after-us-withdrawal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iran's Quds Force commander, Brig Gen Esmail Qaani, has signaled a push for long-term militia involvement in Iraq following the US withdrawal. Despite the Iraqi government's pledge to integrate armed groups under state control, Brig Gen Qaani asserts that Tehran-backed militias can play a more significant role in the nation's future. This claim may provoke backlash from Iraqi officials. The US's exit from Iraq has left uncertainty about the future role of Iran-backed armed groups. Originally, the Iraqi government intended to have all weapons under state control by September 30, the date of the US withdrawal, but this deadline has been postponed to June of the following year. Brig Gen Qaani credited Iraq's resistance for expelling the US, praising the \"heroes of the Resistance Front.\" He noted that the Kataib Hezbollah group, a powerful militia supported by Iran, has denied an understanding with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi regarding the disarmament of militias, despite the US troops' departure. Brig Gen Qaani believes that coordination among the government, state institutions, and resistance forces will lead Iraq to greater well-being, steadfastness, and sovereignty. He emphasized that the resistance maintains a presence in a critical region, steadfastly and prudently. Iran established Hezbollah in Lebanon in the 1980s and created proxy groups in Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion to protect the regime and assert its influence. These groups have been instrumental in regional conflicts and political crises. In recent months, signs of an attempted revival of the \"Axis of Resistance\" have emerged, with the Houthis in Yemen leading as Hezbollah's military capabilities have been severely weakened. Brig Gen Qaani called for strengthening the \"Iran-backed belt of defence\" and pursuing independence and dignity across the Islamic world, from Afghanistan to Yemen, Iran to Gaza, and Lebanon. He also urged the elimination of any remaining US presence in other arenas following its withdrawal from Iraq.",
  "summary": "Iran's Quds Force commander Brig Gen Esmail Qaani has claimed the US withdrawal from Iraq opens the way for Tehran-backed militias to play a greater role in the country's future, despite the Iraqi government's pledge to bring armed groups under state control. His comments, which could face backlash from Iraqi officials, came after Iraq entered a new phase in its security relationship with…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "'America is leaving Iraq, but Iran isn't: Withdrawal a massive strategic and tactical mistake'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/america-is-leaving-iraq-but-iran-isnt-withdrawal-a-massive-strategic",
        "published": "2026-10-02T10:11:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Iran's proxy chief signals push for long-term militia role in Iraq after US withdrawal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/irans-proxy-chief-signals-push-for-long-term-militia-role-in-iraq",
        "published": "2026-10-02T10:29:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Semafor",
        "title": "US signals potential escalation in the Iran war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/us-signals-potential-escalation-in-the-iran-war",
        "published": "2026-10-02T10:53:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}