Iraqi national security advisor deletes post after US congressman's criticism

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji deleted a social media post on Wednesday after it drew criticism from a US congressman. The now-deleted post stated that Araji had met with Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force, to discuss Baghdad-Tehran relations, implementation of a joint border security agreement, and ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations.

US Congressman Joe Wilson responded to the post on X by resharing it with a pointed remark.

“Qassim, I am sure you enjoyed meeting your boss the head of the terrorist IRGC, the founder of your Badr terrorist militia,” Wilson wrote. 

“Learn the lessons of Syria, Yemen and Lebanon and dump Iran before it’s too late. Trump will fix it,” added the Republican lawmaker.

It remains unclear why Araji deleted the post, but Iraqi officials appear to be exercising caution amid heightened regional tensions and shifting political dynamics.

Nuclear talks between the US and Iran are ongoing, with the US President Donald Trump emphasizing that he does not want to see a nuclear-armed Iran.