The newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" reported today, citing "reliable sources," the content of an Iranian message that was delivered to leaders of Shiite factions in Iraq, that is, to leaders of pro-Iranian militias.

The message included strict instructions to avoid provocations against Americans and Israelis and warned of the possibility of attacks on Baghdad, similar to those directed against the Houthis in Yemen.

In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable reduction in the hostile activity of Iraqi groups close to Iran. This may be due to international pressure and the attacks by the US military on the Houthis.

According to the same sources, Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, conveyed this message during his recent visit to Iraq. Qaani warned the faction leaders that “American military attacks on Houthi installations could quickly spread to Iraq.” He called on the factions to refrain from military action during this sensitive period and to take further steps to reduce their overt military presence.

According to one faction leader, Qaani had conveyed clear instructions from Tehran to avoid any provocation that would provoke an American or Israeli response. “A small spark is enough to open a new front in Iraq,” he warned.

The sources added that Iran believes that the US will not hesitate to strike Iraqi targets if the factions respond militarily to support the Houthis.

Meanwhile, Qaani was reported to have met in Baghdad with leaders of armed factions close to Iran. Qaani's visits to Baghdad are usually conducted in secret and focus on meetings with representatives of the pro-Iranian factions and the ruling coalition in Iraq.

According to reports, Qaani reiterated Iran's commitment to supporting its allies in Iraq in the event of increased American pressure.

At the same time, the sources claimed that the Houthis evacuated a strategic headquarters in a prestigious neighborhood in the heart of Baghdad, near the "Green Zone" established in 2023. Flags and slogans associated with the Houthi leader, Abdel Malek al-Houthi, were hoisted at this headquarters, and it was also In media and commercial activity in Baghdad, which increased following Hamas's "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation.

The report claimed that following the American bombings of the Houthis in Yemen, it was decided to close the headquarters. It was also reported that the Houthis may evacuate additional facilities in Iraq, following ongoing political pressure.

At the same time, the legitimate government of Yemen said that it was monitoring Houthi activity in Iraq and other countries. Yemeni Information Minister Ammar al-Iryani called on Iraq to act firmly to prevent Houthi activity on its soil.

This week, the US Air Force attacked Houthi targets in Sana'a, Saada, al-Bayda and al-Jawf. US President Donald Trump has promised "the total destruction of the Houthis" and threatened Iran that its continued assistance could lead to further escalation. Despite this, the Houthis declare that they will continue to attack American vessels in the Red Sea.