Iraq defended a “Memorandum of Understanding” signed this week with Iran, stating that it builds on an existing partnership aimed at securing their extensive shared borders. However, officials emphasized that this agreement does not constitute a security pact.
A statement from the office of National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji reminded that Iraq and Iran had established a partnership in March 2023 concerning “border security measures and the neutralization of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups” that have sought refuge in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The statement elaborated that this partnership has now been formalized into a memorandum that retains the original focus on border security and counteracting Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, consisting of five political factions.
The memorandum was signed on Monday during Iranian National Security Secretary Ali Larijani’s visit to Baghdad, according to the statement.
Iraq reaffirmed that “there is no security agreement between the two countries,” indicating the absence of a broader bilateral partnership.
In announcing Larijani’s visit, Iranian state television indicated that the primary aim was to “sign a bilateral security agreement.”
The 2023 partnership has been instrumental in halting Iranian strikes against armed Kurdish opposition forces in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Iraqi authorities have taken responsibility for disarming these groups, relocating them away from the borders to designated camps. Larijani’s trip, which also included a stop in Lebanon, came amidst ongoing unrest in the Middle East due to the 22-month conflict in Gaza and tensions with Israel, which have diminished Tehran’s influence and that of its regional allies.
In Iraq, there are divisions regarding a proposed law intended to strengthen the institutional integration of the Popular Mobilization Forces. This has raised concerns among U.S. partners, who view it as a means to expand Tehran’s influence and bolster Iran-aligned factions.
The U.S. State Department reiterated on August 12, in response to questions regarding the proposed legislation, that “we support genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that would turn Iraq into a satellite state of Iran.” Furthermore, they stated, “We oppose any legislation that does not align with our security partnership goals and undermines the strengthening of existing Iraqi security institutions.