Skip to main content

Iran's Iraq policy unlikely to change under Raisi

Despite his hardline credentials, Iran's foreign policy is likely to remain unified under the new president.
A woman holds a poster of newly elected President Ebrahim Raisi, with text in Persian reading "Government of the people, strong Iran," as supporters celebrate his victory in Imam Hussein Square, Tehran, Iran, June 19, 2021.

Ebrahim Raisi was elected as the new president of the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 19. The official inauguration will take place in early August. How will the relationship between Iran and Iraq evolve under the new Iranian president?

Raisi is a prominent cleric in Iranian politics. Although he is part of the conservative camp, he has never been in conflict with any of the Reformist leaders.

He belonged to the political clerics who had high-ranking positions from the early period of the Islamic Revolution. In 1981, he became prosecutor of the city of Karaj when he was only 20 years old.  

In 2019, he became head of the judiciary system, one of the most senior positions in Iran. A few months after he assumed that post, the US Treasury sanctioned Raisi, citing human rights violations.

Throughout his career, and despite his right-wing politics, Raisi has maintained a balanced relationship with the high-ranking leaders of both the conservative and Reformist camps in Iran

He is well respected among the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and he has a good relationship with those from Mashhad, his home town, including Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Majles, Iran's parliament.

Iran's policy on Iraq under Raisi is expected to become more consistent, especially due to his close relationship with different Iranian institutions in charge of the Iraq file.

Following the assassination of former Quds Force head Gen. Qasem Soleimani by a US airstrike in January 2020, Iran's policy in Iraq has faced challenges, creating a vacuum and chaos among the pro-Iran camp in Iraq.

This has led some of the pro-Iran military factions in Iraq to at times take action without coordination with Iran. Moreover, the competition between different Iranian institutions, particularly the intelligence service and the IRGC, has contributed to the chaos.

Raisi will likely be a balancing point between different Iranian institutions. His close personal relationship with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Qaani and Qalibaf means we can expect consistency in Iran's policy in Iraq.

Iran realizes that its position in Iraq faces challenges after the assassination of Soleimani, and because of the increased credibility of the Iraqi government and its institutions under the new government. Iran can therefore be expected to maintain good working relationships with the Iraqi government, while not giving up its influence with Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) which have looked to Iran for support, and are sometimes at odd with the Iraqi state.

Raisi said today that he would not negotiate with the United States over Tehran's support for regional militias, which include those groups it backs in Iraq.

The protests in the Shiite areas that started in October 2019 and the US-Iran confrontation in Iraq have created serious challenges for Iran and its partners in Iraq. 

Iraq's balanced relationship with regional and international parties has helped to avoid conflict on its soil and turn Iraq into a mediator and meeting point for the various parties.

Iraq hosted several meetings between regional countries, including talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and has sought to be a bridge rather than a battlefield between Iran and the United States.

The ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal,  would likely also play out to the advantage of Iraq.

A more balanced relationship with all parties in Iraq would lead to a more stable relationship with Iran as well.

There is no reason to think that negotiations between Iran and the United States, Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries won't continue under the Raisi presidency. The decision for these negotiations was made and is overseen and authorized by Khamenei, the highest authority in Iran. 

Raisi during the campaign signaled a willingness to continue with the JCPOA talks if elected. 

While continuity on all foreign policy accounts is likely, there are serious challenges between Iran and Iraq that are more managed than solved. The regulation of the Popular Mobilization Units and bringing them under the full control of the state is a top priority for Iraqi President Mustafa al-Kadhimi. This will continue to be a source of friction between Baghdad and Tehran.

The challenge of Islamic State sleeper cells is another priority for both countries — any collapse in this regard in Iraq would affect Iran as well. The economic relationship in the face of the ongoing US sanctions, especially in regard to Iraqi imports of gas and electricity from Iran, is also a very important issue for both countries.

Under these circumstances, Iraq under Kadhimi will give priority to expanding its role as a bridge builder in the region, and stay out of the region's conflicts.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in