Will Tehran’s Iraq Policy Change Under Rouhani?

Considering Tehran’s increasing openness with the West, will Iranian policy toward Iraq change under its new president?
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javed Zarif (L) speaks during a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari in Baghdad, September 8, 2013. The United States will ignite a fire across the Middle East if it attacks Syria, Zarif said on a visit to Iraq on Sunday, warning Western powers against warmongering. REUTERS/Ahmad Al-Rubaye/Pool (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13CU2
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javed Zarif (L) speaks during a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Hoshyar Zebari, in Baghdad, Sept. 8, 2013. - REUTERS/Ahmad Al-Rubaye
ali_mamouri.jpg
Ali Mamouri
@AliAlMamouri
Read in 

Iraqis welcomed the ascent of moderate candidate Hassan Rouhani in Iran’s recent presidential elections, hoping for a change in Iran's policy toward Iraq and a stop to its interference in Iraq's affairs.

Hopes rose further after the Iranian-American rapprochement, as both parties have been playing a key role in drawing the Iraqi political map since 2003.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more