The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's (IRGC) foreign operations official made contradictory statements about Tehran's connection with regional factions. Al-Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani said the resistance groups across the Middle East each have their independent arrangements, saying the Iraqi resistance will launch operations against the US if it continues its activities in Iraq. Qaani said at a commemoration of Hossein Pourjafari, Qassem Soleimani's close associate, that "resistance" groups across the Middle East each have independent and individual structures.