Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian began his first overseas trip as president, aiming to solidify Tehran’s relationship with Baghdad amidst escalating regional tensions. The bond between Iran and Iraq holds significance due to economic, political, and religious factors, especially following the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein, who waged a war against Iran in the 1980s.
Baghdad has been navigating its ties with both Tehran, backing Shiite militias in Iraq, and the United States, maintaining a troop presence combating remnants of the Islamic State group. The presence of U.S. forces in Iraq remains a target for Iran, particularly amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Before Pezeshkian’s visit, an explosion occurred near Baghdad International Airport, a site utilized by the U.S. military, with no reported casualties and unclear circumstances. The U.S. Embassy confirmed the incident, stating the assessment of damage and the blast’s cause is ongoing.
During the trip, Pezeshkian, inaugurated as Iran’s president in July, plans to visit Shiite shrines in Karbala and Najaf, inspect a railway project connecting Basra to Iran and Irbil, the Kurdish region’s capital. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed Pezeshkian’s intent to bolster security and economic cooperation with Baghdad, promoting Iraq’s development and prosperity.
Despite efforts to strengthen ties, tensions between Iran and Iraq persist, including missile attacks by Iran on Iraqi sites over the years. Iraq’s reliance on Iranian natural gas for electricity production remains a critical aspect of their partnership, supported through a barter deal involving Iraqi crude oil.
Furthermore, the U.S. and Britain formally accused Iran of supplying short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, resulting in additional sanctions on Moscow and Tehran. The presence of U.S. troops in Iraq raises concerns for Iran, especially with militias targeting American forces in response to recent events.
In summary, the visit by Iran’s President Pezeshkian signifies the ongoing complexities in the relationships between Iran, Iraq, the United States, and other regional players, as they navigate political, security, and economic dynamics amidst escalating tensions.
