Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has embarked on his first state trip abroad to Iraq in an effort to strengthen ties amid increasing Western sanctions. During his visit, Pezeshkian has met with Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani and plans to sign agreements, discuss the Gaza war, and address the Middle East situation with Iraqi officials. One of the main topics on the agenda is Israel’s war on Gaza, as Iran-backed armed groups have become involved, affecting Iraq’s relations with the US.
Additionally, Pezeshkian aims to expand trade ties with Iraq, highlighting the importance of the Iraqi market for Iran’s exports and energy imports. The signing of numerous agreements on trade, agriculture, and communications is expected to take place during the visit, demonstrating a push to bolster Iran’s relationships with neighboring countries to mitigate the impact of US-led sanctions on its economy.
Iran and Iraq have strong economic ties, with Iran serving as one of Iraq’s leading trade partners. The two countries have a history of collaboration, including Iran exporting gas to Iraq to power its plants. Despite its influence in Baghdad, Iran also faces challenges, including new sanctions from the US and certain European countries on allegations of providing short-range missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Pezeshkian’s visit to Iraq comes amidst heightened tensions, as an explosion at a base used by the US-led coalition occurred just before his arrival. The attack aimed to disrupt the Iranian president’s visit, according to a spokesperson for the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Iraq. Overall, Pezeshkian’s trip underscores Iran’s efforts to navigate international relations in the face of sanctions and geopolitical complexities.
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