Iran’s newly inaugurated president, Masoud Pezeshkian, embarked on his first official international trip on Wednesday, selecting Iraq as his destination to reinforce the close ties between the two neighboring nations.
Pezeshkian’s visit comes at a time when escalating regional tensions are drawing both Iraq and Iran deeper into the complexities of Middle Eastern unrest.
Upon arrival in Baghdad, Pezeshkian was greeted by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani welcomes the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian,” read a statement from the Iraqi premier’s office, accompanied by an image capturing the two leaders in a firm handshake on the airport tarmac.
The relationship between Iraq and Iran is multifaceted. While Iraq maintains close connections with Iran, evidenced by the presence of Iran-aligned political factions and militias operating within the country, it also plays a pivotal role as a partner to the United States, hosting around 2,500 U.S. troops on its soil.
Navigating this delicate balance, Pezeshkian’s visit aims to deepen diplomatic and economic relations with Iraq, a vital neighbour, especially as Tehran faces continued economic pressure from U.S.-led sanctions.
“We are planning to sign several agreements,” Pezeshkian shared with Iran’s state media before embarking on the trip. “We will meet senior Iraqi officials in Baghdad.”
The Iranian president has consistently emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with neighbouring states as part of his broader strategy to alleviate the effects of international sanctions on Iran’s struggling economy.
Adding to the tension surrounding the visit, Iran remains locked in a growing standoff with Western powers.
On Tuesday, Britain, France, and Germany imposed new sanctions on Tehran, accusing it of providing Russia with short-range missiles to aid its military campaign in Ukraine.
In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani warned that these nations “will face the appropriate and proportionate action” for what he called a “hostile” move.
Pezeshkian’s trip to Iraq unfolds against a backdrop of rising instability across the Middle East, much of it tied to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The conflict has drawn in various Iran-backed militias across the region, further complicating Iraq’s already delicate relations with Washington.
Mere hours before the Iranian president’s arrival in Baghdad, an explosion shook a military base near the airport, which is utilized by the U.S.-led coalition fighting remnants of jihadist groups.
A spokesperson for the Ketaeb Hezbollah, an Iranian-aligned militia in Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating its intent was to “disrupt the Iranian president’s visit.”
This incident adds another layer of complexity to Pezeshkian’s diplomatic mission, as both countries attempt to navigate the turbulent political landscape of the region.
