Iraqi National Security Advisor Visits Tehran Amid Tensions Between Iran and Israel

The Iraqi National Security Advisor, who has traveled to Tehran, met and discussed with several officials of the Islamic Republic. According to Iranian media, Qassem al-Araji, the Iraqi National Security Advisor, held talks on Monday, November 21, with Hossein Salami, the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). As reported by Tasnim, close to the IRGC, the two sides discussed various topics, including 'emphasizing the non-use of Iraq's space by enemies.' No further details about the discussions between these two military and security officials from Iran and Iraq have been released. The Iraqi National Security Advisor also met with Ismail Qaani, the Commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, on Monday morning, stating that they emphasized 'the necessity of not escalating conflicts in the Middle East.' This visit by the Iraqi official to Tehran comes at a peak of tensions between Iran and Israel. Some media outlets, including Axios, have reported from various sources that Iran intends to target Israel through militias and from Iraqi territory in response to a recent Israeli attack. In response to Iran's extensive missile attack, Israel announced on November 5 that it had targeted some military facilities in Iran. Iranian officials claim that the Israeli attacks were conducted through Iraqi airspace; the Iraqi government has also complained to the United Nations about the violation of its airspace. During his intensive visit to Tehran, the Iraqi National Security Advisor also met with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. According to the Hamshahri newspaper, the two sides discussed the 'exploitation' of Iraq's space by Israel and the United States against Iran. Iranian media have also reported that the Iraqi National Security Advisor discussed the implementation of a security agreement between the two countries with Iranian officials, including Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister.