Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian embarked on his first foreign trip as president, aiming to strengthen ties with Baghdad amidst escalating regional tensions. The relationship between Iran and Iraq holds significant importance for both countries, especially following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein, who waged a brutal war against Iran in the 1980s.
Baghdad faces the challenge of balancing its relations with Tehran, which supports influential Shiite militias in Iraq, and the United States, which maintains a troop presence in Iraq to combat remnants of the Islamic State group. The U.S. troops have been a target for Iran, particularly amid Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Prior to Pezeshkian's visit, an explosion occurred near Baghdad International Airport, where U.S. military personnel are stationed. The circumstances surrounding the blast remain unclear, with no reported casualties.
During his trip, Pezeshkian plans to visit Shiite shrines in Karbala and Najaf, as well as review a railway project connecting Basra to Iran and Irbil. Iran aims to enhance security and economic cooperation with Baghdad, emphasizing support for Iraq's development and prosperity.
However, tensions have arisen between Iran and Iraq due to Iranian missile strikes on Iraqi sites in recent years, targeting Kurdish militias, American bases, and alleged Israeli facilities. Iran's direct attack on Israel in April further strained relations, following an Israeli strike in Damascus that killed Iranian and Hezbollah personnel.
Close ties with Iran are crucial for Iraq's energy needs, as Baghdad relies on Iranian natural gas imports for electricity. Despite U.S. sanctions on Iran, a barter deal for Iraqi oil has sustained the gas supply. The U.S. and UK recently accused Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine, leading to new sanctions on Moscow and Tehran.
The presence of U.S. troops in Iraq remains a contentious issue, with Iranian-backed militias targeting American forces, prompting retaliatory airstrikes. Iraqi leaders are divided on whether to support the continued presence of U.S. troops in the country.
