Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, left on his first trip outside of the country on Wednesday, signaling Tehran's desire to fortify relations with Iraq in the face of growing regional tensions. Pezeshkian, who was elected in July and is seen as a centrist, had a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani over the course of his three-day tour.
A number of agreements are anticipated to be inked as part of the visit's goal of strengthening bilateral cooperation. In addition, talks will address more general Middle Eastern topics as well as the present Gaza conflict. The official welcome from Sudani and inspection of a guard of honor accompanied Pezeshkian's arrival.
A rise in violence has been linked to the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Iraq, a significant player in the region with groups connected to Iran and a U.S. military presence. Iran supports many armed groups, and the approximately 2,500 U.S. forces stationed there are reflections of its complex geopolitical situation.
Pezeshkian announced plans to sign multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as trade, agriculture, and communications. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi revealed that around 15 MoUs would be finalized during the visit, encompassing political, regional, and security cooperation.
Pezeshkian also visited a monument honoring Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, who died in 2020 in an American drone strike in Iraq. The assassination of Soleimani and the Iranian reprisal against American outposts in Iraq brought the United States and Iran dangerously near to a full-scale war.
The United States and Iraq have been working on plans for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces, amidst increased attacks on U.S. troops by Iran-aligned groups since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The relationship between the U.S. and Iraq is under strain due to these attacks and regional instability.
Pezeshkian's visit also includes plans to go to Iraqi Kurdistan, a region where Iran has previously conducted strikes. Iran views the area as a base for separatist groups and agents linked to Israel, reflecting Tehran's broader regional security concerns.
In response to Iranian security concerns, Baghdad has attempted to address issues related to regional separatist groups, including relocating some members as part of a security agreement with Tehran in 2023.
The trip marks a significant diplomatic effort by Iran to enhance its influence in Iraq, a key ally with both U.S. and Iranian connections. The outcomes of this visit could impact regional dynamics, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict and security challenges in the Middle East.
