Iraq has defended its recent “memorandum of understanding” signed with Iran, stating that it builds on a previous partnership aimed at safeguarding their extensive mutual borders. However, officials clarified that this does not constitute a security agreement.
In a statement released by the office of National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji, it was noted that Iraq and Iran had established a partnership in March 2023 focused on “border security and measures aimed at addressing the Iranian Kurdish opposition” that had taken refuge in the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The statement also indicated that this partnership has since been formalized into a memorandum of understanding, which retains the same focus on border security and cooperation regarding the five Kurdish Iranian opposition parties.
This memorandum was signed on Monday during Iranian National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani’s visit to Baghdad, according to the statement.
Iraq emphasized that there is “no security agreement between the two countries,” underscoring the absence of a broader bilateral partnership.
In Iranian state television’s announcement regarding Larijani’s trip to Iraq, it was stated that the “main objective” was to “sign a bilateral security agreement.”
The partnership established in 2023 has played a role in ceasing Tehran’s bombardments against Iranian armed groups opposed to its regime within Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
Iraqi authorities have taken measures to disarm Iranian groups, relocating them away from the borders to designated camps. Larijani’s visit, which also included Lebanon, comes amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, spurred by the 22-month-long 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 proposed legislation intended to strengthen the institutionalization of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), raising concerns among American partners who view this as a means to expand Iran’s influence and bolster Iran-affiliated factions.
On August 12, the U.S. State Department reiterated its stance on the proposed legislation, stating, “We support genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that would turn Iraq into a client state of Iran.” They added, “We oppose any legislation that does not align with the goals of our security partnership and that undermines established Iraqi security institutions.