Wed Sep 11 08:26:20 UTC 2024: ## Iran President’s Iraq Visit Amidst Regional Tensions and New Sanctions
**Baghdad, Iraq** – Amidst a wave of fresh Western sanctions and escalating regional tensions, Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, embarked on a three-day visit to Iraq on Wednesday, aiming to strengthen ties between the two neighboring countries. This is Pezeshkian’s first foreign trip since assuming office.
The visit comes as the Middle East grapples with the fallout from the Gaza war, which has drawn in Iran-backed armed groups and further complicated Iraq’s relationship with the United States. Just hours before Pezeshkian’s arrival, an explosion targeted a base at Baghdad airport used by the US-led anti-jihadist coalition. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq claimed responsibility, citing a motive to disrupt the Iranian president’s visit.
Pezeshkian, who has made strengthening relations with neighboring countries a priority, has vowed to mitigate the impact of US-led sanctions on Iran’s economy. His visit follows the announcement of fresh sanctions by Western powers on Tuesday, accusing Iran of supplying short-range missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine war. Iran has strongly condemned the sanctions and warned of “appropriate and proportionate action” in response.
Despite the ongoing tensions, ties between Iran and Iraq have grown closer since the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime. Iraq is one of Iran’s leading trade partners, with millions of Iranian pilgrims visiting the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala each year. Non-oil trade between the two countries reached nearly $5 billion in the first five months of 2024, while Iran also exports millions of cubic meters of gas to Iraq daily.
Political scientist Ali al-Baidar highlighted the economic significance of Pezeshkian’s visit, stating that Iran needs the Iraqi market for its exports and relies on Iraqi energy imports. The visit is expected to focus on expanding trade ties and bolstering economic cooperation.
Pezeshkian’s visit also comes amidst a planned withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, with target dates set for September 2025 and 2026. However, these dates have not yet been officially agreed upon by Baghdad and Washington. The Iranian president will also travel to the Kurdish regional capital Arbil for talks with Kurdish officials, following a security agreement between Tehran and Baghdad last year targeting Iranian Kurdish rebel groups in the region.
This high-profile visit underscores the complex and intertwined relationship between Iran and Iraq amidst a volatile regional landscape. The outcome of Pezeshkian’s trip will be closely watched for its implications on the future of bilateral ties and the broader regional dynamics.
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