The signs of a new strategic agreement between Iraq and Iran carries a dimension that may equate to a similar security agreement between Baghdad and Washington, but it is still not fruition, after a prominent Iranian official revealed it, while the Iraqi government kept it secret until now.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saad Khatib Zadeh announced his country's intention to hold talks with Iraq with the aim of reaching a strategic agreement between the two countries, stressing that Iraq has a special status with Iran.
And Zadeh stated - in a press conference held in Tehran a few days ago - that "Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the issue of the strategic document with Iraq during his recent visit to Baghdad, and it will be announced upon completion." Zada did not specify the timing of these talks, but he made clear that they would start as soon as possible, and possibly in the coming days or months.
The Foreign Relations Committee in the Iraqi Parliament welcomed the preparations for talks with Iran. In preparation for concluding a strategic agreement in the political, economic and security fields, in light of the absence of stability in the region.
Committee member Mukhtar Al-Mousawi told Al-Jazeera Net that "there are two axes in the world: a Russian-Chinese-Iranian-Arab axis, and another American-European-Arab axis as well, and Iraq is between the two axes under external and internal political pressures. We hope that Iraq concludes strategic agreements with all axes, with the aim of stabilizing the country and achieving interests." Reciprocal. "
A binding agreement
The head of the Political Thinking Center, Dr. Ihssan Al-Shammari believes that the planned agreement between Iraq and Iran comes parallel or synonymous with the strategic framework agreement between Iraq and the United States, especially since Iran is aware of a major shift inside Iraq after the popular protests and the nature of the repercussions that brought down the government of Adel Abdul Mahdi, which was close. Of which.
As well as the shift in awareness and popular mood by stopping any external expansion inside Iraq, and perhaps Iran’s realization that the parties close to it are losing support inside Iraq, and that is why they headed towards concluding this agreement, which will be binding on subsequent Iraqi governments, ”says Al-Shammari.
The Iraqi researcher explained to Al-Jazeera Net that "Iran is well aware that this agreement can be passed in the Iraqi parliament. It also realizes that its contract will embarrass the United States, and it gives a message that it also shares strategic influence in Iraq parallel to it."
Regarding the Iraqi side not announcing these talks yet, Al-Shammari said, "This is related to the immaturity of these dialogues or the final lack of agreement on their lines and clauses, as well as the matter linked to the transitional phase that the Iraqi government is going through, and it may not allow it to conclude this agreement, It also does not want to embarrass itself with the United States, and it seems that there is a popular mood that may not rush towards concluding an agreement with Iran, as it contradicts the paths of Iraqi public opinion, and perhaps this is the reason for the reservation to announce it. "
Contentious issues
As for the strategic expert, Hamza Mustafa, he believes that the Iranian-Iraqi relations are good, and they almost reach the level of strategic relations, due to the presence of many participants between the political class in the two countries, including trade relations, as Iran comes second after Turkey, but it seems that what is meant by the new strategic agreement is That some issues are still controversial.
Mustafa explained to Al-Jazeera Net that "there are some issues between the two countries that need to define frameworks, such as joint oil fields and freedom of navigation in the Shatt al-Arab, as Iraq still has reservations about the 1975 Algiers Agreement, and there are new agreements related to common water issues, and all these issues need To new agreements placed in frameworks that are binding on both sides, then the relationship between the two countries will turn into a relationship with an institutional dimension, especially since some issues are related to international law if they include some agreements such as the Algiers agreement, and all this could justify Iran's determination to conclude strategic agreements with Iraq, and not So far, we know the official Iraqi reaction in this direction. "
Political analyst Ibrahim al-Sarraj believes that there is a need to encircle the Iraqi-Iranian relations within the framework of a solid strategic agreement that contributes to strengthening relations between the two countries, and to enhancing security and stability in the region, in light of the tension and chaos prevailing in the region.
Al-Sarraj told Al-Jazeera Net that "the two countries need to conclude such an agreement in various political, economic and security fields, and their internal conditions and the size of the pressures that the region is exposed to may push that this agreement be exemplary and realistic, and there is a need to expedite its conclusion, especially since there are internal forces." And foreign affairs do not want this agreement to see the light of day, and is striving with every effort to disturb the Iraqi-Iranian relations. "