Iran and Iraq in the Regional Security Structure after the 2003 Invasion of Iraq

Since the Iraq War of 2003, the relationship between Iran and Iraq has been totally transformed. In these new circumstances, Iran’s Iraq policy aims to eliminate traditional hostile dynamics in relations between the two states, help Iraq to stabilize its domestic order and security, develop connections with the Iraq Shiite community, and maintain the power balance between the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraqi political institutions. The purpose of Iran’s policy towards Iraq is to strengthen relations with the Shia and other groups in order to prevent the US from threatening Iranian security. Iraq provides the motivation to create a new security structure in the Persian Gulf region.