The relationship between the United States and Iraq is a complex one, marked by both cooperation and tension. Currently, Iran is at the heart of this tension. A recent defense agreement between Iran and Iraq has caused unease in the United States.
The deal, finalized on August 11th, aims to strengthen security operations along the 1400-kilometer shared border. The agreement was formalized in Baghdad with the presence of Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji and the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, along with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
This new agreement builds upon a March 2023 agreement between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan, which focused on stricter border controls. This deal follows the backdrop of increased tensions after the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, which led to widespread protests in Iran.
Reports suggest that the Iraqi Kurdish administration has pressured Iranian Kurdish opposition groups to disarm and relocate to camps within cities. Some, however, opted to return to Iran to continue guerrilla warfare against the IRGC. Iran accuses these groups of inciting unrest and links them to Mossad, claims which the groups deny. Iran fears that Kurdish fighters could infiltrate the border, especially if tensions with the US or Israel escalate, which is a key reason for the new security agreement.
The US views this deal with concern for several reasons.
Firstly, the US is concerned about increasing Iranian influence in Iraq. The US seeks to maintain its presence in Iraq and reduce the influence of Iran-backed militias like Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba within the Iraqi security framework. In short, the US sees no benefit in this deal.
Secondly, the US is worried about Iran-backed groups possessing medium-range missiles and drones, which could be used to attack Israeli and US targets. Washington fears that if these groups are not contained, they could escalate the situation.
Finally, the US wants parts of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to be dismantled or brought under government control, and for the government to regain control of areas occupied by militias. The PMF is an Iran-backed paramilitary umbrella organization operating in Iraq. The US fears that if this doesn’t happen, Israel might launch airstrikes, leading to regional instability.