Iran denies information in leaked Iraqi espionage documents

The documents were published by the New York Times and The Intercept on Monday and are said to show extensive spying on Iran's part in Iraq. It is no surprise that Iran has an offensive role in the region and is doing intelligence, like many other countries. But now the extent of Iran's attempts to gain influence is beleaguered.

According to hundreds of encrypted telegrams, Iraqis who previously worked for the US intelligence service were recruited instead as agents for Iran. The communication originated in 2014 and 2015. The source is unknown but according to an encrypted message, the leak has said that they want to "let the world know what Iran is doing with my country Iraq".

In addition to Iraq, Iran's top military leaders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard have prominent positions in diplomacy in Syria and Lebanon as well, according to information in the revealed documents. One of Iran's goals is to persuade Iraq's Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to remain in power following the extensive protests that erupted in October this year. The designated military and political leaders refute the details of meetings with intelligence agents in the leaked documents.

One of the reasons for the recent extensive demonstrations in Baghdad and in southern Iraq is the widespread corruption combined with dissatisfaction with the lack of electricity and water supply in the country. More than 300 people were killed during the protests that continued during Tuesday with a blockade in the Port of Basra.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has criticized the violence against the protesters and the corruption in the Iraqi leadership. Pompeo says it is prepared to impose financial sanctions on "the corrupt government officials who are letting the Iraqi people suffer".