Link to article https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-president-visits-iraq-first-foreign-trip-2024-09-11/
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Iraq and and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. This was the President Pezeshkians first foreign trip as president of Iran and the intentions of the visit were to solidify relations between the two countries as war continues in the Middle East. The two countries met to discuss the continuing war and possibly the end between Israel and Palestine as well as the signing of multiple agreements concerning each other. Iraq’s Prime Minister’s media office reported that both Iraq and Iran have signed 14 memoranda of understanding in multiple fields. The two countries have strong political, regional, and security relations and are looking to work with each other in the future as political allies. The Iranian president also visited a memorial to the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani who was killed in a U.S. drone strike.
President Pezeshkians visit to Iran has solidified relations between Iraq and Iran. Concerning the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Iran is a very anti-Israel nation, believing that Israel should have no place in the Middle East as a country. Israel may see this visit between the two countries as an alliance, and may be on guard against political and possible military action from Iraq. Iran has supported Hamas in the conflict in Palestine and has stood behind its claims against Israel. This show of friendship as well as diplomacy between the two countries will put Israel on guard in this conflict, and possibly bolster Hamas confidence.
A major country that will be concerned with the recent visit is Israel. Seeing as Israel is in an armed conflict with Palestine and Hamas, they may respond to this visit between Iran and Iraq as a sign of alliance between the two countries, and may try to hasten pursuit of a negotiation of peace between themselves and Hamas as Iraq has sided with a pro-Hamas country. Global superpowers such as the United States, China and the three major European countries (France, Germany, Britain) may see this act of friendliness with Iran from Iraq as a step towards an alliance that may threaten their trade and military interests in the Middle East.
The conflict that has been happening in the Middle east is related to Israel’s statehood and Palestine’s lack thereof. Palestine wants to be recognized as a country and possibly claim part of Israel’s land as its own. I believe however, countries don’t see the benefit of recognizing Palestine as a country as it has no economic benefit to those who would. It lacks a stable economy to produce goods and has no room for agricultural production. Palestine’s status is a UN observer state under Israeli occupation and has not been recognized as a country. The Iranian president’s visit to Iraq has lasting implications on the unsteady region of the Middle East.