Israel Moves to Gradually Seize Ali al-Taher After Hezbollah Rejects Evacuation

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's visit to Baghdad aimed to bolster Iraq's efforts to consolidate weapons under state control, a critical issue ahead of a September 30 deadline. Ghalibaf reaffirmed Tehran's commitment to security agreements between the two nations during his official visit.

The Iraqi government, supported by a broad coalition of political forces, has mandated that all weapons must be confined to state institutions. Groups operating outside these structures and threatening national security are deemed "illegitimate."

However, informed Iraqi sources suggest Ghalibaf's visit did not fully achieve its goals, particularly in persuading Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to soften his position on enforcing a state monopoly on weapons. Al-Zaidi reportedly remains committed to the deadline, despite pressure from political factions and armed groups seeking to revise the terms or the timeline.

Divisions within Iraq's Coordination Framework, a key alliance, and overlapping judicial disputes, including potential anti-corruption measures, have weakened its ability to mediate. Political assessments indicate al-Zaidi is resolute, with some speculating about his potential resignation as a tactic by implicated forces to reshuffle the political landscape.