Bazeshkian to Iraq.. A suitable visit for Al-Sudani with low expectations

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[size=52]Bazeshkian to Iraq.. A suitable visit for Al-Sudani with low expectations[/size]

[size=45]The British website “Amwaj” reviewed the atmosphere and circumstances surrounding the first foreign visit that the reformist Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will make to Iraq, where there is ongoing concern about Iran’s possible response to the Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, while this visit is in line with Iraq’s efforts to distance itself from any possible expansion in the Gaza war and to strengthen its role as an interlocutor for communication with Iran.[/size]
[size=45]The British report referred to information that Pezeshkian is expected to visit the Kurdistan Region and the city of Basra, in addition to Baghdad, where it is also expected that about 30 economic, security, trade and water agreements will be signed.[/size]
[size=45]The British website also quoted a report by Shafaq News Agency on August 29, which considered that Israel will likely interpret the upcoming visit of the Iranian president to Iraq as reflecting “Tehran’s support for a number of armed groups” that “have attacked Tel Aviv in recent months” in light of the ongoing war in Gaza.[/size]
[size=45]The report quoted the Prime Minister's Advisor, Farhad Alaeddin, as saying, "Baghdad is looking forward to Pezeshkian continuing" what the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi started.[/size]
[size=45]The report also noted that since Pezeshkian won the presidential runoff on July 5, he has received an invitation to visit Iraq from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on at least three occasions.[/size]
[size=45]Referring to the challenges facing the relationship, the British website said that there are reports that Baghdad owes Tehran about $11 billion for natural gas and electricity imports, but has been unable to pay it due to US sanctions.[/size]
[size=45]The report also drew attention to unconfirmed reports indicating that Pezeshkian suggested taking revenge on Israel for assassinating Haniyeh, by targeting supposed Israeli bases in Azerbaijan or the Kurdistan Region, which sparked reactions among Iraqis on social media.[/size]
[size=45]However, the report considered that Pezeshkian's visit highlights Iran and Iraq's intentions to build on Ebrahim Raisi's foreign policy that focuses on the region. It added that "in this context, Al-Sudani seeks to enhance Baghdad's role as a main interlocutor for communication with Iran."[/size]
[size=45]The report continued: While dozens of agreements are expected to be signed, observers do not believe that Pezeshkian’s visit, nor his rise to power in general, will have a “radical” impact on bilateral relations between Baghdad and Tehran, as this view is based on the assumption that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is the dominant party in politics in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]The report concluded by saying that in light of the ongoing Gaza war and the ongoing state of anticipation for the Iranian response to Haniyeh’s assassination, Al-Sudani is trying to curb the activities of the Iraqi forces in the “Axis of Resistance” led by Iran, as the Prime Minister seeks to distance Iraq from any wider confrontation.[/size]
[size=45]However, the report concluded that it is very difficult to predict the outcome of these efforts, as they depend on the actions of both Iraqi and non-Iraqi actors, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.[/size]
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