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Al-Arabia – Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force, instructed commanders of the Popular Mobilization Unit militias to support Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi during a secret meeting in Baghdad on Wednesday, five sources familiar with the meeting told Reuters.Sources close to two of the most influential figures in Iraq also …

Al-Arabia – US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will hold talks with Indian leaders in New Delhi on Friday, Indian official said, as part of a tour to build support against Iran over its nuclear program and its ties to militant networks. On Wednesday, the United States and six Gulf countries agreed to jointly impose sanctions on 25 corporations, banks and individuals linked …

Al-Arabia – Iraq’s top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani warned foreign actors on Friday against interfering in anti-government protests that erupted early last month and urged political factions to avoid “infighting.” “No person or group, no side with a particular view, no regional or international actor may seize the will of the Iraqi people and impose its will on …

Iran-HRM – The month of October was marked by Iran’s crackdown on freedom of expression. Security forces in the southwestern town of Lordegan made widespread arrests following large protests over the HIV infection of villagers by a local health clinic. According to locals, security forces used videos of the protests to identify and arrest protesters.  Protests erupted in Charmahal Bakhtiari province after …

RFL/RE – Brian Hook, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, says Tehran has spent some $16 billion to fund Shi’ite-led militias in Syria and Iraq.Hook made the comments in an interview broadcast on October 31 by Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya but did not specify what period of time he was citing.Shi’ite Iran has wielded influence in Iraq since dictator Saddam …