Baghdad's Diplomatic Balancing Act Continues
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has arrived in Iran for high-level talks, just days after completing his first official visit to the United States. The back-to-back trips — first to Washington, then to Tehran — encapsulate a foreign policy reality that has defined Iraq for over two decades: the country must carefully manage its relationships with two powerful nations that are currently engaged in a direct military conflict with one another.
Al-Zaidi assumed the office of prime minister in May and is considered a compromise figure within Iraq's governing Shia bloc. His selection was reportedly viewed favorably by the United States, particularly when compared to the alternative — former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a more divisive political figure. Since taking office, al-Zaidi has also launched a notable anticorruption drive, resulting in the detention of several prominent figures within Iraq's political establishment.
A Strong Start in Washington
Al-Zaidi's mid-July visit to Washington produced visible diplomatic momentum. US President Donald Trump described the Iraqi leader as a "fantastic champion" and suggested the two governments would be pursuing significant economic cooperation. The visit yielded a series of agreements between Iraq and American companies, as well as announcements surrounding the rehabilitation of a long-dormant Iraqi-Syrian oil pipeline — a development that received a warm reception from the US State Department.
Notably, al-Zaidi framed his vision for the US-Iraq relationship around economic collaboration rather than traditional security arrangements, signaling a potential shift in how Baghdad wants to engage with Washington going forward. Analysts see this as part of a broader effort by Iraq's new leadership to position the country as a more assertive and independent regional actor.
Deep and Complex Ties with Iran
Despite Iraq's interest in strengthening its relationship with the United States, its ties with Iran remain deeply embedded in the country's political, economic, and social fabric. Iraq continues to depend heavily on Iranian natural gas and electricity supplies, and bilateral trade between the two nations surpasses $12 billion annually, making Iraq one of Iran's most significant trading partners.
Religious and cultural links further reinforce this relationship. Millions of Iranian Shia pilgrims cross the border each year to visit holy cities such as Najaf and Karbala, highlighting the profound spiritual bond between the two nations. The significance of this connection was further illustrated when the funeral procession of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei passed through these Iraqi pilgrimage cities.
Iran has also cultivated strong ties with influential Shia political parties and armed factions within Iraq. These groups form a substantial part of Iraq's broader security structure, granting Tehran considerable leverage within Baghdad's internal affairs. During the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance — which began in late February — Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq have played a notable military role on Tehran's side, further complicating the situation for al-Zaidi's government.
Armed Groups and Regional Pressures
Washington has consistently pressured Baghdad to assert tighter state control over Iranian-backed armed factions operating within Iraq's borders. For al-Zaidi, managing these groups while maintaining domestic stability represents one of the most delicate political challenges of his tenure. Weakened by the ongoing war, Iran has suffered significant economic and military losses, which may alter the leverage dynamics between the two governments.
Another sensitive issue expected to feature in the Tehran discussions concerns Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in northern Iraq — areas largely outside Baghdad's direct control. Tehran considers these groups a security threat and has conducted multiple airstrikes against them since the conflict began. Iran has urged Baghdad to prevent these factions from using Iraqi territory, alleging that they receive support from both the United States and Israeli intelligence services.
A Bridge Among Rivals
Beyond Iran, al-Zaidi's government has also taken steps to improve Iraq's relationships with Gulf Arab states and Türkiye, presenting Baghdad as a potential diplomatic bridge between competing regional interests. These efforts reflect an ambition to elevate Iraq's standing as a constructive regional player rather than a passive subject of external pressures.
Despite the symbolic weight of al-Zaidi's dual visits to Washington and Tehran, experts caution against expecting dramatic shifts in Iraq's foreign policy orientation. The more realistic expectation is that these trips will reaffirm what has long been Baghdad's defining strategic reality — that Iraq simply cannot afford to choose between the United States and Iran.
The more meaningful question is whether Iraq's new leadership can, over time, gradually reframe that balance — exercising greater autonomy while sustaining vital partnerships with both powers. Whether al-Zaidi possesses the political skill and domestic support to achieve that shift remains to be seen.
Source: Al Jazeera
