Iraqi Negotiations on State Monopoly of Arms Stall Amid Iranian Opposition

Negotiations between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and paramilitary leadership regarding the integration of non-state weapons into the national security apparatus have reached an impasse. The deadlock is reportedly driven by an Iranian veto, which has effectively blocked the transition of control over these arms to the state. Paramilitary command structures have formally proposed delaying the arms transfer plan until the end of 2027. The proposal cites regional instability, specifically the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, volatile Iran-U.S. relations, and the continued presence of U.S. forces in Iraq as justifications for the postponement. Haider al-Abadi, leader of the Nasr Coalition, attributed the failure of the talks to Iranian interference, noting that certain Iranian factions fear the regime’s regional influence would be compromised without the existence of these paramilitary arsenals. The Usama al-Nujaifi Coalition further asserted that the continued presence of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) makes any meaningful transfer of weapons to the Iraqi state impossible. In an effort to break the stalemate, Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Ameri has proposed the formation of a five-member committee to oversee the process. This body would include representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the National Security Advisory, the intelligence services, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and the paramilitary commands themselves.