Qaani Meets with Iraqi Factions to De-Escalate Tensions Against the U.S.

An informed source reported that the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Esmail Qaani, made an unannounced visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad, where he met with factions affiliated with the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" to reduce military escalation against U.S. forces following the attack in Jordan. The "Hezbollah Iraq" Brigades announced on Tuesday that they have halted their operations against U.S. forces in order to "avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government," advising their fighters to temporarily engage in "passive defense." The U.S. military announced on Sunday, January 28, the deaths of three of its soldiers and the injury of dozens in a drone attack targeting a base housing U.S. forces in Jordan. U.S. officials indicated that "the United States is considering strikes against armed factions in Iraq, Syria, and Iran." U.S. President Joe Biden noted on Tuesday that he has "made a decision regarding the nature of the response to the Jordan attack that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers and injuries to over 30 others."