Al-Monitor: It is unlikely that there will be a change in Iran's foreign policy toward Iraq

[size=52]Al-Monitor: It is unlikely that there will be a change in Iran's foreign policy toward Iraq[/size]

[size=45]Translation / Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]Last Saturday, June 19, Ebrahim Raisi was elected as the new President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He will officially take over the reins of government at the beginning of August. The question is, how will the relationship between Iran and Iraq go under the administration of the new Iranian president?[/size]
[size=45]Raisi is one of the prominent figures in Iranian politics. Although he is part of the conservative camp, he has not entered into conflict with any of the Islah leaders. He belongs to the class of political clerics who have enjoyed high government positions since the early period of the new Iranian rule, and in 1981 he became the city's chief prosecutor when he was twenty years old. In 2019, he became head of the judicial system, one of the most important positions in Iran. A few months after assuming that position, the US Treasury included him on the list of those subject to sanctions, alleging his involvement in human rights violations. Raisi is respected among members of the Iranian Quds Force and has a good relationship with many personalities from his home city, Mashhad, including Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, and Parliament Speaker, Baqir Qalibaf.[/size]
[size=45]In its report, Al-Monitor points out that Iran's foreign policy and relationship with Iraq under a president is expected to become more stable and harmonious, especially if we take into account its close relationship with the various Iranian institutions responsible for the Iraq file.[/size]
[size=45]Following the assassination of former Quds Force commander General Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack in January 2020, Iran's foreign policy in Iraq faced challenges, leaving a void and chaos among the ranks of the pro-Iranian camp in Iraq. This led at certain times to some armed factions loyal to Iran in Iraq to take action without coordination with Iran. Moreover, the rivalry between different Iranian institutions, especially the intelligence service and the Revolutionary Guards, has contributed to the chaos.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Monitor says it is possible that Raisi will serve as a point of balance between different Iranian institutions. His close personal relationship with Supreme Leader Qaani and Parliament Speaker Qalibaf means that there will be more stability and harmony in Iran's policy towards Iraq. Iran realizes that its position in Iraq faces challenges after the assassination of Soleimani, and due to the increasing confidence of the Iraqi government and its institutions under the new government, it is expected that Iran will maintain good working relations with the Iraqi government, while it will not give up its influence on some factions that look to Iran for support and which Sometimes they are at odds with the Iraqi state. The Associated Press quoted Raisi as saying during his statements the day before yesterday that he would not negotiate with the United States about Tehran's support for regional armed factions, which include the factions it supports in Iraq. The popular protests that erupted in Iraq in October 2019 and the confrontation between the United States and Iran in Iraq have created serious challenges for Iran and its partners in Iraq. Iraq's balanced relationship with regional and international parties has helped avert a war on its land, with the country turning into a mediator and meeting point between different parties. Iraq has hosted several meetings between regional countries, including talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and seeks to be a bridge rather than an arena of conflict between Iran and the United States. The ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the nuclear agreement, its outcome is also likely to be in favor of Iraq. As a more balanced relationship with all parties in Iraq may lead to a more balanced relationship with Iran as well. There is no reason to believe that negotiations between Iran, the United States, Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries will not continue under the new President Raisi. The decision on these negotiations has been taken, reviewed and authorized by the Supreme Leader, who represents the highest authority in Iran. Raisi had indicated during his election campaign a desire to continue discussions on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action related to the nuclear agreement if he was elected. Al-Monitor points out that while Iran's foreign policy is likely to continue in all its directions, there are serious challenges between Iran and Iraq that are controlled more than they are resolved. Arranging the status of the PMF factions and bringing them under the full control of the state is at the forefront of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's priorities. It is expected that this issue will continue as a source of friction between Baghdad and Tehran. Raisi had indicated during his election campaign a desire to continue discussions on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action related to the nuclear agreement if he was elected. Al-Monitor points out that while Iran's foreign policy is likely to continue in all its directions, there are serious challenges between Iran and Iraq that are controlled more than they are resolved. Arranging the status of the PMF factions and bringing them under the full control of the state is at the forefront of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's priorities. It is expected that this issue will continue as a source of friction between Baghdad and Tehran. Raisi had indicated during his election campaign a desire to continue discussions on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action related to the nuclear agreement if he was elected. Al-Monitor points out that while Iran's foreign policy is likely to continue in all its directions, there are serious challenges between Iran and Iraq that are controlled more than they are resolved. Arranging the status of the PMF factions and bringing them under the full control of the state is at the forefront of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's priorities. It is expected that this issue will continue as a source of friction between Baghdad and Tehran. Arranging the status of the PMF factions and bringing them under the full control of the state is at the forefront of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's priorities. It is expected that this issue will continue as a source of friction between Baghdad and Tehran. Arranging the status of the PMF factions and bringing them under the full control of the state is at the forefront of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's priorities. It is expected that this issue will continue as a source of friction between Baghdad and Tehran.[/size]
[size=45]Challenging the sleeper cells of ISIS is another priority for the two countries, as any collapse in this regard in Iraq will affect Iran as well. As well as the economic relationship in the face of the continuing US sanctions, especially with regard to Iraq's imports of gas and electric power from Iran, which is also a very important issue for the two countries.[/size]
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