Nov. 7, 2023
In early summer, the Iranian capital was host to a number of secret Arab visitors, Amwaj.media has learned. Leaders and representatives of armed factions loyal to the ‘Axis of Resistance’—including from Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen—gathered in Tehran for what has become an annual occasion. The meetings stretched out over several days. On the surface, informed sources told Amwaj.media, the purpose was to “enhance communication” between Iran’s allies. But the real focus this year is said to have been the establishment of a Joint Operations Chamber at the regional level, geared to counter challenges from both Israel and the United States. Amid the war sparked by the Hamas movement’s surprise attack on Israeli communities near Gaza earlier this month, that chamber has been activated.
The discussions this summer went into specifics, informed sources explained. The participants debated the responsibilities that would fall on the shoulders of each actor, and how confrontations and cooperation within the ‘Axis of Resistance’ ought to be managed. The meetings did not take place in a vacuum. Iran hosted the Arab guests amid talk of the possible eruption of a major war in the region. In a sign of how preparation for a comprehensive confrontation was viewed as imperative, the Iranians offered engagement at the highest level—with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei highlighting what has become ever more clear this month: that the primary purpose of the ‘Axis of Resistance’ is to “liberate” Jerusalem.
Managing contestation among Iraqis
Speaking on condition of anonymity, multiple sources told Amwaj.media that the Arab visitors were given direct access to the supreme leader of Iran. They are also said to have met with Quds Force commander Esmail Qa’ani. In addition, to apparently facilitate a practical outcome, the Arab leaders and representatives engaged with a number of prominent Iranian officers who both currently and previously worked as advisors in Iraq. The latter included a commander known as ‘Hamed’. Managing Quds Force operations in Iran’s western neighbor, the veteran figure is considered as the spiritual father of the Iraqi “resistance factions.”
Among the Iraqis, the attendees included the secretary-general of Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, Qais Al-Khazali; Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Chairman Falih Al-Fayyadh and Chief of Staff Abdulaziz (Abu Fadak) Al-Muhammadawi; Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah Ahmad (Abu Hussein) Al-Hamidawi; Badr Organization leader Hadi Al-Ameri; the secretary-general of Harakat Hezbollah Al-Nujaba, Akram Al-Kaabi; the head of Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada, Abu Ala Al-Walai; and, the secretary-general of Harakat Ansar Allah Al-Awfiya, Haidar Al-Gharawi.
According to one well-informed Iranian source, Ameri was last year excluded from the meeting between Khamenei and leaders of the ‘Axis of Resistance’ on account of dissatisfaction with his performance. This year, ‘Hamed’ is claimed to have under pressure from some Iraqi actors initially opposed Fayyadh’s attendance. Pointing to the need to strengthen internal conflict resolution amid the complexities at hand, other informed sources charged that there is an ongoing dispute between Muhammadawi and Fayyadh, and also between the latter and the leaders of some Iraqi armed groups.
The intra-Shiite divides are alleged to revolve around control over the chairmanship of the PMU and who should act as the umbrella force’s chief of staff. Both Khazali and Muhammadawi are viewed as seeking to replace Fayyadh with their own loyalists. In parallel, the leader of Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada is said to be aspiring to secure important positions in the PMU leadership for his group. These dynamics are claimed to have prompted the three men—Khazali, Muhammadawi and Walai—to jointly pressure the Iranians to replace Fayyadh. According to informed sources, this is the third such endeavor in the past year. However, despite the alleged efforts by ‘Hamed’ to relay these pressures to Qa’ani, Khamenei himself is said to have opposed Fayyadh’s removal—underscoring the need to maintain unity in the PMU leadership.
The Iraqi meeting with Khamenei
The initial plan was for Iran’s supreme leader to hold a plenary session with all Arab guests, as in the past. However, following repeated requests from the Iraqi side—and Qa’ani’s belief in the necessity of a standalone session—Khamenei agreed to also separately meet with the Iraqis. it was the first time that the top Iranian decision maker directly engaged with the leaders of some armed groups, including Khazali.
At the outset of the session, informed sources told Amwaj.media, Khamenei asked the Quds Force commander to personally introduce the attendees, except for Ameri and Fayyadh who he had prior knowledge of. Qa’ani obliged and hailed the Iraqi visitors in front of Khamenei, lauding the activities of their groups in past years.
Subsequently, the Iraqis expressed gratitude for the prominent role Iran has played in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003, specifically pointing to the Quds Force and its contribution to the establishment of the PMU—especially under late commander Qasem Soleimani—and the efforts of Qa’ani after he took charge in 2020. Of note, Soleimani and former PMU deputy chairman Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis were killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad’s international airport in early 2020. The Iraqis further asserted the need to protect “Shiites and Shiite Islam” in Iraq against any existential threat, underscoring that they are ready to confront any iteration of the Islamic State group (IS) that may re-emerge.
After the introductions and exchanges of pleasantries, Amwaj.media has learned, Khamenei spoke candidly about what he saw as key priorities and challenges.
Firstly, informed sources say, Khamenei highlighted the importance of defining Iraq’s interests and giving them top priority—including when it comes to dealings with the United States. At the same time, he underscored that engaging with Washington does not mean that Iraqis ought to be subservient or abandon their principles. This was perceived as addressed to the leaders of some factions who are seen as excessively placating the Americans.
Iran’s supreme leader also reminded some Iraqi groups which consider themselves as affiliates of the Quds Force—and thus perhaps unaccountable—that the Islamic Republic relies on more than one stream of input to assess the situation in Iraq. Khamenei is said to have asserted that there is a precise Iranian assessment of what is unfolding next door, including the performance of some allied military and political forces, and that it is built on reports provided by a number of actors. Informed sources told Amwaj.media that Khamenei sought to acknowledge the roles of the Iranian intelligence ministry, which has soared following the death of Soleimani, and other players such as the foreign ministry and Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Khamenei also expressed irritation with the actions of some in the name of the ‘Axis of Resistance’. At one point during the session, he is said to have charged “let me tell you what resistance means” while addressing corruption and communications with the US. He also highlighted the need to maintain unity among Shiites and specifically among the leadership of the PMU, apparently hinting at the bickering among some Iraqi figures. Notably, Khamenei also underscored the importance of adhering to the directives of the supreme Shiite religious authority in Najaf, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani.
Some of the Iraqis in attendance then expressed their views on the situation. Muhammadawi told Khamenei that Kata’ib Hezbollah plans to end the US presence in the region, and that it is ready to deal heavy blows to NATO as well. However, Khamenei is said to have rejected the proposition, indicating that it is not on Iran’s agenda at the time. In another part of the session, Khazali is claimed to have asked Khamenei what he believes is the most pressing priority: building a state in Iraq or preserving the “resistance.” The Iranian leader seemingly avoided a direct answer, with some attendees later interpreting Khazali’s question as geared to seek cover from the Iranian top leader to pursue some of his own economic and political endeavors.
Focus on Jerusalem
The day after the session with the Iraqis, Khamenei held the scheduled plenary session which gathered all Arab visitors affiliated with the ‘Axis of Resistance’. Once again, those in attendance—including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Houthi representatives—were reminded of the overarching purpose of the regional bloc and indeed the session itself: to restore Palestinian control over Jerusalem. But far from being a routine affair, the session saw controversy as Khazali openly aired the grievances of the “Iraqi resistance” about not receiving sufficient media coverage of its actions. Qa’ani is said to have found the intervention bothersome.
Months later, amid the eruption of the war in Gaza and the possibility of a regional conflagration, the preparations for a comprehensive confrontation agreed in Iran this summer appear to be gradually implemented. So far, a new entity known as the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria. Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement is locked in a gradual escalation with Israel. And Yemen’s Ansarullah movement—better known as the Houthis—has also entered the fray, firing drones and missiles at southern Israel.
Yet amid all of this, the most influential components of the ‘Axis of Resistance’—Iran and Hezbollah—have publicly distanced themselves from any role in the Hamas movement’s surprise attack on Israel. While they have indicated that they are ready for a regional conflagration, they do not appear to seek it. In this context, it appears as if the Islamic Republic continues to struggle with regulating the regional alliance networks it leads. Iran is also seemingly laboring to balance between seeing its influence slip away while avoiding being held liable for the actions of its regional partners. What may come next in the region as Israel continues to pummel Gaza remains to be seen.
Content retrieved from: https://amwaj.media/article/inside-story-the-secret-arab-visitors-in-iran-and-the-liberation-of-jerusalem.