Persian Files ISSN 2975-0598 Volume 25 Issue 1
Author: Silvia Boltuc
Executive Summary
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s first official visit to Iraq resulted in the signing of 14 cooperation agreements across various sectors, reinforcing Tehran’s strategic and economic ties with Baghdad.
This report highlights Iraq’s significance in Tehran’s regional strategy and its influence on Baghdad’s political, economic, and security future.
Background Information
Pezeshkian’s meetings with Iraqi leadership, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and senior Shiite leaders, confirmed Iran’s ongoing influence in Iraq’s political sphere. Tehran seeks to ensure its role as a key player in shaping Baghdad’s internal politics, especially with a focus on maintaining ties with Iraq’s Shiite majority.
Pezeshkian’s visit to Iraq aimed to acquire Iraq’s support for Iranian broader regional goals, specifically in terms of security cooperation and opposition to foreign military presence.
The visit to Kurdistan highlights Iran’s strategy to engage with all political factions in Iraq, including Kurdish authorities. Tehran aims to prevent any attempts at Kurdish secession, which would disrupt Iraq’s territorial unity, a critical concern for both governments. Maintaining influence in Kurdish regions ensures Tehran’s continued involvement in Iraq’s national security and governance.
Religious diplomacy played a key role, with Pezeshkian visiting the holy Shiite cities of Najaf and Karbala. Iran’s close religious ties with Iraq bolster its soft power, reinforcing Tehran’s influence over Iraqi Shiite population and further embedding cultural and religious ties that align with its strategic interests.
Iran’s regional rivals, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, are also vying for influence in Iraq. Pezeshkian’s visit demonstrates Tehran’s determination to maintain its dominance in the Iraqi territory amidst this competition, especially because both Riyadh and Ankara attempt to challenge Tehran’s position in the country’s political and security landscape.
The visit reflects Tehran’s broader geopolitical goals of securing Iraq as a key ally in its regional ambitions, countering U.S. influence, and promoting a unified stance on regional security matters.
Iran-Iraq: Geopolitical Scenario
The signing of 14 cooperation documents covering trade, agriculture, education, skilled labour training, and cultural exchanges marks a significant deepening of economic ties.
Both countries aim to boost bilateral trade and investment, providing economic benefits since both Tehran and Baghdad are facing external pressures and economic challenges. Iran sees Iraq as an essential market for its goods and services, especially in agriculture and natural resources.
Tehran’s focus on training skilled Iraqi workers signals a strategic investment in local human capital. Iran’s involvement in enhancing Iraq’s workforce positions Tehran as a major player in the country’s reconstruction efforts, potentially establishing advantageous long-term economic dependencies for the Islamic Republic. These training programs also help build Iran’s influence in Iraqi domestic sectors, such as infrastructure and industry.
Religious tourism has also a significant economic potential. Agreements aimed at facilitating pilgrimages to Iraq’s holy cities tap into a lucrative source of income for both countries. This tourism boosts Iraq’s local economies, particularly in Najaf and Karbala, while also fostering closer economic integration through shared religious and cultural connections.
Iran is also leveraging its position in Iraq to sidestep some of the economic isolation imposed by sanctions. Seeking to counter external economic pressures, Tehran plans to strengthen its economic relations with Iraq, thus creating alternative trade routes and partnerships. Increased Iranian investment plays a crucial role in expediting Iraq’s post-conflict recovery, focusing on rebuilding the essential infrastructures.
Strategic Outlook
Iran’s long-term strategy in Iraq remains focused on maintaining its influence across political, economic, and security spheres.
The visit marks a continuation of Tehran’s efforts to solidify its standing as a key regional power. By ensuring strong bilateral ties with Baghdad, the Islamic Republic of Iran strengthens its position against regional rivals and foreign powers seeking to exert influence in Baghdad.
Iraq’s stability is critical to Iran’s security interests. Pezeshkian’s visit stressed Tehran’s commitment to ensuring Baghdad remains a secure ally, especially by avoiding the growing influence of U.S. or Israeli intelligence agencies on the ground. By signing cooperation agreements in the economic and security sectors, Iran seeks to achieve greater integration, thereby advancing its aim of creating a secure buffer zone against external threats.
In the future regional scenario, Iran will continue leveraging its relationship with Iraq to pursue its broader regional goals. Strengthened economic and security cooperation with Baghdad enables Iran to project power more effectively across the Middle East, positioning it as a central player in shaping the region’s future.
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