Author: Omid Habibinia

President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Iraq has been lauded by Iranian officials for resulting in a strategic cooperation document and several economic agreements between the two nations. However, challenges such as opposition to Iranian influence in Iraq, economic stalemates, and shifting geopolitical dynamics with other regional powers and the US pose obstacles to deeper ties. Although Iran’s trade with Iraq remains significant, Iraq is increasingly looking towards other partners like Turkey. The visit aimed to resolve Iraq’s $11 billion debt to Iran for gas and electricity imports, but no concrete solution was reached due to US sanctions. The strained…