Iran's President Visits Iraq Amid Middle East Tensions, Explosion at U.S. Base Raises Concerns

September 13, 2024
Iran's President Visits Iraq Amid Middle East Tensions, Explosion at U.S. Base Raises Concerns
  • The two countries are also focusing on cooperation in various sectors, including free trade zones, agriculture, and vocational training.

  • This visit comes against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has heightened regional instability.

  • Iran's newly inaugurated president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is on his first foreign trip to Iraq, aiming to bolster bilateral relations amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

  • On the night of September 10, an explosion occurred at a U.S.-led coalition military base near Baghdad International Airport, reportedly in an area used by coalition advisers.

  • Despite the explosion, civilian air traffic at Baghdad airport continued without interruption, and there were no immediate reports of damages or casualties.

  • Kataib Hezbollah, a prominent militia, distanced itself from the attack, suggesting it was orchestrated by 'suspicious hands' to disrupt Pezeshkian's visit.

  • Israel's military operations in Gaza are focused on dismantling Hamas while minimizing civilian casualties, despite accusations that Hamas uses civilians as human shields.

  • To ease regional tensions, the U.S. and Iraq are negotiating a phased withdrawal of U.S.-led anti-jihadist forces, as Iraqi security forces assert their capability to manage the remnants of the Islamic State independently.

  • Iraq is navigating its complex relationship with Iran, which supports powerful Shiite militias, while also maintaining ties with the U.S., which has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq.

  • In March 2023, Iran and Iraq signed a security agreement to address concerns over Kurdish opposition groups and to enhance border security.

  • Details of the new security agreements remain undisclosed, but they are expected to address the disarmament of Kurdish groups and the securing of border regions.

  • Both Pezeshkian and his Iraqi counterpart condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, warning of potential threats to regional stability.

Summary based on 46 sources


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