In first, Iran-backed militias in Iraq ready to disarm to avert Trump's wrath

So far, we have not received a response from the U.S. regarding indirect negotiations,

Baqaei said in statements carried by the state news agency IRNA

Trump is ready to take the war with us to worse levels, we know that, and we want to avoid such a bad scenario,

said a commander of Kataib Hezbollah, the most powerful Shi'ite militia, who spoke from behind a black face mask and sunglasses

These forces must respond to Iraq's commander-in-chief and not to Iran,

it added

The factions are not acting stubbornly or insisting on continuing in their current form,

he said