Foreign Relations - World War III
Iraq has historically taken a staunchly anti-Israel stance in its foreign policy, largely in support of the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. This position has shaped Iraq's policy toward any conflicts involving Israel, particularly wars between Israel and its neighbors or with Palestinian groups. Iraq does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel and continues to reject normalization efforts with the Israeli state.
Iraq faced political and security pressures over its position on the Israeli war in the expanding region. While Washington pressured the Iraqi government to neutralize armed factions from participating in the war, the factions insisted on continuing to target Israel with missiles and drones. This situation raised questions about the government's ability to neutralize the factions and keep the country away from the policy of axes or engaging in war. By October 2024, armed Iraqi factions announce almost daily that they have bombed several targets in Israel, including vital targets and an oil port.
The challenge of protecting diplomatic missions and military bases of the international coalition in Iraq makes the task of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani more difficult , as they have been subjected to repeated attacks in the past period, using various methods, including launching rockets and mortar shells, in addition to direct armed attacks. On 01 October 2024, US Ambassador to Iraq Elena Romansky called on the Iraqi government to cooperate to stop attacks on diplomatic missions in the capital, Baghdad, after the Diplomatic Support Complex, a US facility, was targeted .
Baghdad Operations Commander, Lieutenant General Walid Khalifa Al-Tamimi, confirmed that all embassies and diplomatic missions in the capital, Baghdad, are fully secured. In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Lieutenant General Al Tamimi explained that every embassy and diplomatic mission enjoys tight protection by a force affiliated with the Embassy Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Interior, in addition to additional security by the security forces responsible for the area and the roads leading to it.
He pointed out that there is high-level coordination between the Ministry of Interior and the Baghdad Operations Command to ensure the highest levels of protection, stressing that the sectors of the Baghdad Operations Command are spread throughout the capital, with comprehensive security for all areas, squares and lands that could potentially be used to launch attacks. He also pointed out that there is an intensive intelligence effort on the ground to monitor any suspicious movements or possible targeting attempts.
The head of the Security Media Cell of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, Major General Tahseen Al-Khafaji, confirmed his country's keenness to provide the necessary protection for diplomatic missions and facilities operating in the country. He explained, in a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, that the Headquarters Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Interior is responsible for protecting diplomatic missions and facilities. Al-Khafaji stressed that the security forces are continuing and committed to providing protection for all international headquarters and missions, so that the missions can perform their work properly. He pointed out that Iraq has interests with these countries, and by providing protection for them, interests and relations are also developed with high capabilities.
Iraq's policy towards the Ukraine war is characterized by neutrality, with a focus on protecting its national interests and maintaining positive relationships with both Russia and the West. Iraq seeks to avoid getting entangled in the conflict while benefiting from high oil prices and ensuring its own food security. The country continues to call for peaceful negotiations and diplomacy as the best solution to the ongoing war. Iraq took a generally neutral stance towards the Ukraine war, balancing its relations with both Russia and Western countries. As a nation with deep historical ties to both the U.S. and Russia, Iraq’s position on the conflict is shaped by several factors, including its economic and political considerations.
Iraq avoided taking a firm stance in favor of either Ukraine or Russia. Instead, it has maintained a neutral policy, focusing on diplomacy and dialogue as the best approach to resolving the conflict. This neutrality is important for Iraq, given its strategic ties with both the U.S. and Russia. Iraq, like many other countries in the Middle East, emphasized the need for peaceful negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Iraqi officials have expressed concerns about the humanitarian impact of the war but have refrained from blaming any specific side.
Iraq is a major oil producer and has been significantly affected by the fluctuations in global energy markets caused by the war. While Iraq has not joined Western sanctions against Russia, it has benefited from the rising oil prices triggered by the war, increasing its revenues from oil exports. Iraq is a member of OPEC+, a group that includes Russia. The country continues to coordinate with Russia on oil production levels through OPEC+ agreements, which has influenced its neutral stance. Iraq relies on its cooperation with Russia within the framework of OPEC+ to stabilize global oil markets.
Iraq has had a long history of military cooperation with Russia. This relationship became particularly important after the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq in 2011. During the fight against ISIS, Iraq purchased Russian military equipment, including fighter jets, helicopters, and air defense systems. Russia has supported Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in international forums, including during times of foreign intervention. This diplomatic relationship has encouraged Iraq to avoid taking actions that could harm its ties with Moscow. Iraq has avoided joining the Western sanctions regime against Russia, likely because of its reliance on Russian energy cooperation and its desire to avoid becoming embroiled in global power struggles.
The U.S. is one of Iraq’s key allies, having led the coalition that removed Saddam Hussein from power in 2003 and providing military and economic support ever since. Iraq’s leadership is cautious about taking actions that could jeopardize its relationship with Washington, especially given the U.S.'s strong support for Ukraine in the war.
Iraq has been indirectly impacted by the Ukraine war through disruptions in global food supplies, particularly wheat, as both Ukraine and Russia are major exporters. While Iraq imports much of its grain from other regions, the global rise in food prices has affected Iraqi consumers. As a result, Iraq has supported international efforts to alleviate the food crisis caused by the war. Iraq has often abstained or taken a neutral position during United Nations votes related to the war in Ukraine, reflecting its desire to avoid alienating either side. For example, Iraq abstained from voting on resolutions that condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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