Iranian’s Iraq visit intended to unify

BAGHDAD — A top Iranian general arrived in Baghdad this week to try and unify Iraq’s fractured political leaders, Iraqi officials said Wednesday, as stiff opposition by one major bloc thwarts chances the country’s latest prime minister-designate can form a government.

Meanwhile, revenue from oil exports was slashed by nearly half because of plummeting oil prices in March, according to figures released Wednesday by the Oil Ministry, pushing Iraq into deeper economic uncertainty amid political dysfunction and the coronavirus pandemic.

Esmail Ghaani, head of Iran’s expeditionary Quds Force, arrived in Baghdad late Monday, Iraqi officials said, in his first public visit to Iraq since succeeding slain Iranian general Qassim Soleimani. His arrival at Baghdad airport came amid a curfew to stem the spread of the coronavirus that has halted inbound and outbound flights.

The four Iraqi officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Ghaani’s visit coincides with a burgeoning situation in Iraq as Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi faces resistance from some powerful political elites. Meanwhile, there is deepening fragmentation across the political spectrum. Selected on March 16, al-Zurfi has 30 days to present a Cabinet lineup.

One of the Iraqi officials who spoke to the AP said Ghaani suggested in the meetings that Iran and the Revolutionary Guard do not want al-Zurfi to be the next prime minister.

Amid the ongoing leadership void, an economic crisis is also brewing.

The Oil Ministry said Iraq had earned $2.9 billion in oil revenue in the month of March, down by nearly half compared with February. Oil sold at an average price of $28 per barrel, according to spokesperson Assem Jihad. In February, by contrast, Iraq earned $5.05 billion based on an average price of $51 per barrel.

Iraq relies on oil revenue to fund over 90% of state spending. The 2020 budget projected an oil price of $56 per barrel to fund expenditures.

Experts have warned that if the slump in oil revenue is prolonged, Iraq will be unable to pay public sector salaries, a step that will likely lead to more unrest.

The government has been taking steps to conserve dollar reserves and cut spending.