JSPES, Vol. 43, No. 1-2 (Spring-Summer 2018)
pp. 152–172

Iran’s Foreign Policy towards Iraq and Syria: Strategic Significance and Regional Power Balance

Sherko Kirmanj

University Utara, Malaysia

Abdulla Kukha Sadq

Freelance Researcher

This article examines the role of Iran in post-2003 Iraq and in the ongoing Syrian conflict. It also investigates and analyses Iran’s political strategy in relation to both countries. The aim is to assess Iran’s foreign policy and its use of proxy warfare in Iraq and Syria in order to identify Iran’s strategic goals in these two countries and in the Middle East in general. It also attempts to analyse the actions and reactions of Iran’s regional rivals, namely Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The article argues that the religious affiliation of the Syrian and Iraqi regimes, and their strategic location connecting Iran to Hezbollah, are the most significant driving forces behind Iran’s involvement in Syria and Iraq. Also, the article argues that Iraq is a political tool used by Iran to advance its regional power ambition in order to keep the balance of power in the Middle East. To achieve this goal, Iran aims to create a parallel army in Syria and Iraq similar to its own, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).