"Iranian Pressures" Complicate the Delivery of Weapons by Factions in Iraq

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The issue of weapon control in Iraq has entered a more sensitive phase amid Iranian pressures related to the future of weapons held by factions close to Tehran, coinciding with negotiations between the government and these factions regarding the mechanisms for weapon delivery and the conditions for implementing the process.

Sources told "Al-Arabiya" on Sunday that the weapon control committee received a document from the factions containing a set of demands regarding the delivery of their weapons, while the Iraqi government, in turn, presented several points to the factions regarding weapon control.

The sources have not yet revealed details of the demands or the exchanged points, nor whether the Iranian pressures have directly influenced the content of the factions' document.

These developments come amid a division regarding the mechanism for dealing with weapons. Iraqi reports have indicated that some factions close to Iran have expressed a willingness to discuss "organizing weapons," but have hesitated to fully surrender them, while the government insists on the principle of controlling them by the state.

The issue is also linked to the tension between Tehran and Washington and the end date of the international coalition's mission in Iraq on September 30, as some factions have linked their steps regarding weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces. In contrast, Baghdad has faced American pressures to take tangible actions regarding the factions and weapons outside state authority.

In the latest official position, Qassem Al-Araji, the security advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, denied on Friday the existence of a specific timeline for the completion of the weapon control committee's work, confirming that anyone carrying weapons illegally after the committee's work is completed will be subject to legal procedures.