Qasemi's Response to Muqtada al-Sadr's Remarks: 'It May Have Been Misinterpreted'

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that the remarks made by Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Shia Sadrist movement in Iraq, who recently called for the dissolution of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and an end to 'Iran's interference in Iraqi affairs', may have been 'misinterpreted' or reported incorrectly. According to reports from IRNA and several other Iranian news agencies, Bahram Qasemi expressed hope on Monday, August 7, during a press conference in Tehran, that Muqtada al-Sadr 'did not make such statements'. Regional media reported that on Friday, August 4, Muqtada al-Sadr called for the disbandment of the PMF and the confiscation of their weapons while adding that trained PMF forces could be integrated into the Iraqi army. In response to this request, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi emphasized his opposition to the dissolution of the PMF as a force 'under the leadership of the religious authority and the state'. Al-Sadr's comments, which came just days after his visit to Saudi Arabia and discussions with the Saudi crown prince, raised suspicions that he was aligning with Saudi Arabia in making this request. Some Iranian media described Muqtada al-Sadr's statements upon his return to Baghdad as 'anti-Iranian'. However, Bahram Qasemi stated on Monday that 'the remarks attributed to him regarding Iran should not be taken seriously'. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also commented on Muqtada al-Sadr's trip to Saudi Arabia, stating that 'Iraqi officials are not required to seek permission from Iran for their travels, as these movements are their internal affairs'. The PMF, the Shia popular forces of Iraq, fought alongside the Iraqi army in liberating areas under ISIS control, especially the strategic city of Mosul. Senior Iranian military commanders have repeatedly compared the PMF to the Basij forces affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and have expressed pride in the influence of these forces from Iran. The Supreme Leader of Iran and the commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC have supported the PMF. Qassem Soleimani stated last month following the liberation of Mosul that 'the key to Iran's arms depots was in the hands of the PMF commander'. Meanwhile, not only was Muqtada al-Sadr's request for the dissolution of the PMF interpreted as aligning him with Saudi Arabia against Iran, but also Ammar al-Hakim's decision to leave the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq has raised speculation that this development could be another setback for Iran in its relations with Iraq. Ammar al-Hakim separated from this institution last week after a period of internal conflicts within the leadership of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq to form another movement called 'National Wisdom'. One of the main issues in the leadership conflicts of this council revolved around Iran's role in Iraq. Following Ammar al-Hakim's departure, Sheikh Hammam Hamoudi assumed the presidency of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq last Sunday. Ammar al-Hakim has stated that his group will continue to cooperate with the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. The Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, previously known as the Islamic Revolution Council of Iraq, was established in Iran in 1982 and had very close relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran for many years. Meanwhile, Ammar al-Hakim, along with several other senior Iraqi officials, including President Fuad Masum, traveled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Hassan Rouhani's second presidential term on Saturday, August 5. Iranian media introduced Ammar al-Hakim during this trip with the new title 'Head of the National Coalition of Iraq'.