During the first day of an official foreign trip on 11 Septamber, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian signed 15 cooperation documents with senior Iraqi officials in Baghdad. He also travelled to Erbil (Hewler), and Sulaymaniyah (Silemani) on 12 September, where security and political cooperation were the key discussion points.
During his visit, Pezeshkian visited the site where Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force, was killed, before meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. In his talks with the president of Iraq, Pezeshkian insisted on the creation of a ‘Union of Islamic Countries’ and called for the removal of borders between Islamic nations, drawing a parallel to the European Union model.
Subsequently, the Iranian president met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Iranian expatriates in Iraq, and Iraqi businessmen. He also participated in a meeting with the ‘Heads of the Coordination Framework of Shiite Political Forces’ and visited Kazemin, a revered Shiite holy city.
Iranian media reported that 15 cooperation agreements were signed during the meeting with al-Sudani, intended to strengthen Iran-Iraq relations, with a particular focus on security.
Pezeshkian’s visit is anticipated to deepen the strategic ties between the two countries. Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, mentioned that several memorandums, originally scheduled for the late President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit, would be signed during this trip.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, emphasised that a primary goal of this trip is to implement the 2021 Iran-Iraq security agreement. He also added that continued talks with Iraq would take place, focused on enforcing the agreement, border security and addressing ‘subversive groups’, particularly Iranian Kurdish political parties.
After arriving in Erbil on 12 September, Pezeshkian was welcomed by Nechirvan Barzani at the city’s airport. In their discussions, Pezeshkian emphasised the need to enhance Iran-Iraqi Kurdistan Region (KRI) relations in security, cultural, and political areas. While acknowledging existing issues, Barzani supported the expansion of relations.
No details have emerged about the discussions between the Iranian president and Masoud Barzani.
Following his discussions with officials in Erbil, Pezeshkian was also welcomed by Bafel Talabani upon his arrival at Sulaymaniyah Airport.
Mohammed Mahmoudian, Iran’s Consul in Sulaymaniyah, previously asserted that the Kurdistan region is anchored by two main administrative centers: Erbil a and Sulaymaniyah. Sulaymaniyah, a key stronghold of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which plays a povital role in regional governance and several strategic sectors.
Observers believe this trip reflects the competition between Turkey and Iran in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Previously, Iran and Turkey influenced northern and southern Iraq based on religious divisions. However, with the rise of ISIS and shifting political dynamics, Iran is now seeking a more active role in Kurdistan to counter Kurdish parties.
