Tehran-Baghdad Relations Change Form

Tehran was the fourth station in Iraqi President Barham Salih's regional journey. He visited Tehran, after traveling to Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Amman. The fact that Tehran was not the first travel stop of the Iraqi president should be explained in the light of Iraq's changing policies. The new situation is affected by two main factors: the US pressure and the emergence of a new Iraqi attitude toward Iran. 

Many factors act as a variable in the relations between Iran and Iraq. With long shared borders, common historical background, common culture in terms of religious and ethnic relations, any change in the political situation of these two countries hugely affects the level and quality of their relationship. This is in addition to regional and international factors.    The form and nature of the relations between the two countries are directly related to the will of their governments, so that the history of Iran-Iraq relations has been mixed with friendship, tension, détente, hostility, intimacy -bordering on strategic alliance- and tentative proximity. The most important factor among these three interrelated elements is common religion and faith, which has sometimes led to ideological competition, and ultimately the difference between the two countries' membership in Arab and non-Arab bloc. 

In the meantime, since 2003, Iraq has not yet succeeded in achieving its ideal to create a strong and unified government in spite of all efforts.  In this way, willingly or unwillingly, its policies are a function of the plans that, on the one hand, aim to stabilize the country and, on the other hand, to attract foreign capital. Therefore, the Iraqi government is not able to act as a strategic ally not only Iran, but also its other neighbors. Meanwhile, it does not have the ability to act hostile towards neighbors. Particularly at this juncture, with a low sovereignty, the central government is more and more often weakened inside and outside its borders.. 

The new Iraqi government is committed to creation of stability in the country, and returning the hope and confidence of the Iraqi society, avoiding external tensions. The hard work it has is its relationship with Iran, which now has become a target of hostile actions by the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. On the other hand, Baghdad wants to balance its relations with neighbors. One cannot complain about Baghdad's attitude, but whether this policy is capable to succeed without harming the recent intimate history of Baghdad and Tehran, depends on the wisdom of the new Iraqi leaders.

Barham Salih's trip to Tehran, his meetings and statements, although his fourth stop on a regional trip, before his visit to Riyadh, signals Baghdad's emphasis and determination to maintain good relations with Tehran despite the warnings, threats and pledges that the United States and its regional allies present. Obviously, the relationship between Iran and Iraq has now entered a new era, but it seems that the two countries' governments, in view of all the changes taking place, have the will for mutual understanding and emphasize on the continuation of friendly relations.

* This piece was originally published in the Reformist Ebtekar newspaper. Jalal Khoshchehreh is a political and international affairs expert.