Iran and Iraq Expand Military and Defense Cooperation

On Sunday, July 23, the defense ministers of Iran and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing military-defense cooperation and what has been described as the exchange of experiences in 'combating terrorism and extremism.' According to Reuters, this memorandum could raise concerns in the United States. Based on reports from Iranian news agencies, the memorandum signed by Hossein Dehghan, the Iranian defense minister, and Irfan al-Hayali, his Iraqi counterpart, emphasizes the expansion of cooperation and the exchange of experiences in 'combating terrorism and extremism,' border security, and educational, logistical, technical, and military support. Additionally, according to Tasnim news agency, the signing of this memorandum has agreed on 'the initiation of a wide range of military-defense cooperation in various fields.' Irfan al-Hayali, who traveled to Tehran on Saturday to meet with Iranian military and security officials, also met and discussed with Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Relations between Iran and Iraq have expanded since 2003 and the fall of Saddam Hussein. However, the United States, which criticizes Iran for its destabilizing behaviors in the region, has expressed concerns about Iran's growing influence in Iraq. These criticisms and concerns have intensified, especially since Donald Trump came to power, and his administration has been reviewing its comprehensive policies toward Iran in recent months with the aim of containing the Islamic Republic. The evidence that American officials cite regarding Iran's destabilizing and destructive behaviors includes 'Iran's role in escalating conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon,' and 'support for attacks on Israel,' with the U.S. recognizing Iran as 'the world's largest supporter of terrorism.' Recently, Trump, in a speech to leaders of Islamic countries in Saudi Arabia, described Iran as a firestarter of 'sectarian conflicts and terrorism,' emphasizing that 'as long as Iran does not want to be a partner for [establishing] peace, all aware nations must isolate it.' In these remarks, he also blamed Iran for 'training armed groups in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.' Regarding Iraq, U.S. military officials accuse Iran of being involved in escalating violence through financial, educational, and military support for militia groups, although Iran denies such accusations, claiming that the presence of American forces in Iraq is the root cause of violence in the country. Recently, Herbert McMaster, Donald Trump's national security advisor, emphasized the need to 'uncover Iran's destructive behaviors,' stating that the Islamic Republic seeks to 'implement the Hezbollah model in the Middle East.' He explained his view by stating that 'Iran desires weak governments in the region that are dependent on its support, and [in this regard] can expand militia groups and other illegal armed groups from outside these countries.'