Kadhimi’s Orders Require Ghaani to Obtain Visa to Visit Baghdad

Iraqi President Barham Salih upon receiving the Iranian delegation in Baghdad on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 (Iraqi Presidency)
Iraqi President Barham Salih upon receiving the Iranian delegation in Baghdad on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 (Iraqi Presidency)
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Kadhimi’s Orders Require Ghaani to Obtain Visa to Visit Baghdad

Iraqi President Barham Salih upon receiving the Iranian delegation in Baghdad on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 (Iraqi Presidency)
Iraqi President Barham Salih upon receiving the Iranian delegation in Baghdad on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 (Iraqi Presidency)

Commander of Iran’s Quds Force Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani arrived on Wednesday in Baghdad as part of an official delegation from Iran.

According to Iraqi sources, Ghaani’s visit was the first announced upon an official visa he had obtained from Iraq’s Foreign Ministry due to “strict orders” by Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Iranian figures, especially leaders of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, used to make unannounced visits to Iraq.

However, Kadhimi issued orders stipulating that all foreign officials, including political and military figures from all countries, should obtain official visas and visit Baghdad as official delegations, sources affirmed.

An Iranian delegation arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday, headed by Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian, and met with senior Iraqi officials, including President Barham Salih.

Salih stressed during his meeting with Ardakanian on the importance of joint coordination and bilateral cooperation, especially in the electricity and water sectors.

This would “attain development and prosperity for the two neighboring peoples,” a presidential statement read.

According to the statement, Salih also highlighted joint efforts among all to address the complex situations in the region and achieve security and stability for the peoples.

Ardakanian, for his part, reiterated his country's readiness to continue to cooperate and support Iraq in all fields.

He said Iran is highly interested in investing in the energy sector, expanding electricity networks and exchanging experiences.

Meanwhile, Baghdad is preparing to hold the first comprehensive strategic dialogue with the United States after signing the security and strategic framework agreements in 2008.

Talks are expected to take place by teleconference between both delegations and at the level of ambassadors, under the supervision of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Member of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee MP Alaa Talabani said in press statements that the proposal to define bilateral relations was submitted after killing the Iranian General, Qassem Soleimani, in a US raid on January 3 and Iraqi parliament’s decision to withdraw US troops from its territory.

“US-Iraqi talks will discuss defining relations in the field of security, trade, and the US presence in Iraq.”

She also affirmed that the Kurdistan region will participate in these crucial negotiations that will determine Iraq’s national security path.

“Baghdad and Washington will hold preliminary discussions led by the Undersecretary of the US State Department from the US side and Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Abdul Karim Hashem from the Iraqi side,” Chairman of Iraq’s Advisory Council Farhad Alaaldin told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The US negotiating delegation will include representatives of the departments of defense, energy, economy, and other US institutions, while the Iraqi premier’s advisers and security and military figures will take part in the scheduled talks, he noted.

Alaaldin pointed out that talks will focus in general on bilateral ties, and each side will determine the subjects of discussion to be scheduled for another meeting after Kadhimi completes his government formation.



Israel Seals off the Occupied West Bank

Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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Israel Seals off the Occupied West Bank

Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

Israel closed all checkpoints to the Israeli-occupied West Bank Friday as the country attacked Iran, a military official said Friday.

The move sealed off entry and exit to the territory, meaning that Palestinians could not leave without special coordination.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military recommendations.

Around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule.

With the world’s attention focused on Gaza, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have grown in size, frequency and intensity.

The crackdown has also left tens of thousands unemployed, as they can no longer work the mostly menial jobs in Israel that paid higher wages.

Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran on Friday that targeted its nuclear program and military sites, killing at least two top military officers and raising the prospect of an all-out war between the two bitter adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

The strikes came amid simmering tensions over Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program and appeared certain to trigger a reprisal. In its first response, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

Israeli leaders cast the attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that.