This article examines the influence of military, religious, and political
factors on Iran’s security in Iraq. The author points out that, along with the use force to
protect its interests in Iraq, Iran resorted to humanitarian and economic diplomacy, as
well as religious affinity with the Shia communities of Iraq. As can be seen from the study of Iran’s fight against ISIS*, its conflicts with the US, and its active participation
in Iraq’s political, social, and religious life, each of these factors played a special role.
The author notes that the primary challenge for Iran’s complex policy-making
was that the combination of certain factors was not always successful due to the rapidly
changing political environment in Iraq. In practice, this sometimes complicated
relations between Iran and the Baghdad leadership, Iraqi political and religious
organizations, and influential international actors. As a result, it had a long-term
negative impact on the future of Iran–Iraq relations.
* Banned in Russia.
Iran; Iraq; Middle East; International politics; regional security.