Iran's Quds Force commander rejects Iraqi PM's security plan for Jurf al-Sakhr

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, reportedly rejected a proposal allowing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi to visit the Jurf al-Sakhr area, according to a report by the London-based Al-Kureish newspaper. Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri had suggested that al-Zaydi visit the area openly and meet with leaders of armed groups in an effort to ease public tensions. According to the report, Qaani turned down the proposal and instructed that no concessions be made to the armed groups. He then conducted inspections of facilities in Jurf al-Sakhr used for warfare, intelligence operations and armed drones, the report said. The report also alleged that Qaani gave the green light for the armed groups to redeploy in sensitive areas of Baghdad and other cities in the event of a possible withdrawal of U.S. forces. It said Amiri's proposal was overridden by Iran's decision and that final authority on the matter rested with Qaani.