Foreign relations of Iraq

Foreign relations of Iraq
U.S. Department of State from United States · Public domain · source
Name	Iraq
Native name	العراق
Capital	Baghdad
Largest city	Baghdad
Official languages	Arabic, Kurdish
Government	Republic
Population	43,533,000
Area km2	438317
Independence	Kingdom of Iraq (1921)

Foreign relations of Iraq Iraq maintains complex relations shaped by its ties to Iran, Turkey, United States, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Russia, China, European Union, and regional organizations. Its diplomacy reflects legacies of the Ottoman Empire, the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty, the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf War, the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the rise and decline of ISIL. Contemporary policy balances restoration of sovereignty, reconstruction, sectarian reconciliation, and engagement with United Nations, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and neighbors.

History

Iraq's modern external relations trace to the end of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of the Kingdom of Iraq under the British Mandate. The 1958 Iraqi coup d'état reoriented ties toward Soviet Union and nonalignment, while the Ba'ath Party regime under Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr and Saddam Hussein pursued pan-Arabism and conflict with Iran culminating in the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), which drew intervention from United States and France. Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait led to the Gulf War and UN Security Council sanctions, shifting relations with United Nations bodies and International Monetary Fund involvement. The 2003 invasion of Iraq by a US-led coalition altered alignments, leading to prolonged Iraq War dynamics, the 2004 formation of the Iraqi Interim Government, and ongoing engagement with NATO and Coalition forces. The territorial and political crisis caused by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant prompted partnerships with IRGC, Popular Mobilization Forces, CENTCOM, Russia, and Syria in counterterrorism efforts. Post-ISIL reconstruction and political transitions have involved European Union, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Beijing-centered initiatives, and renewed Kurdish regional interactions with Erbil authorities and Kurdistan Regional Government counterparts.

Bilateral relations

Iraq's bilateral relations span major powers and neighboring states. With United States, ties include security cooperation, diplomatic missions in Baghdad, and economic assistance via International Monetary Fund programs. Relations with Iran involve energy, border security, and Shia political nexus linking Baghdad to Qom clerical networks and Iranian entities. Iraq–Turkey relations focus on the Iraqi Turkmen Front, water issues from the Tigris and Euphrates basins, and cross-border operations against PKK elements. Ties with Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are driven by sectarian politics, investment, and oil diplomacy within OPEC frameworks. Iraq and Kuwait have bilateral mechanisms stemming from the post‑Gulf War settlement and the border demarcation. With United Kingdom, historical legacies and security cooperation persist through diplomatic missions and reconstruction contracts. Iraq–Russia relations include arms procurement and energy ties, while China engages via oil concessions and infrastructure under projects akin to the Belt and Road Initiative. Iraq maintains diplomatic links with France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and India for reconstruction, trade, and technical assistance. Relations with Syria and Jordan address refugee flows and transit corridors; ties with Lebanon and Egypt reflect Arab League diplomacy. Iraq also engages the Kurdistan Regional Government in inter-regional diplomacy with Turkey and Israel-linked concerns mediated by third parties.

Multilateral organizations and regional cooperation

Iraq is a member of the United Nations, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OPEC, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and observer or participant in NATO initiatives. Regional mechanisms include participation in Gulf Cooperation Council dialogues, UNAMI coordination, and collaboration with World Health Organization and UNHCR on humanitarian issues. Iraq engages trilaterals and quadrilaterals with Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Jordan on security and water; it participates in Baghdad Conference-style summits and intergovernmental groups for economic reconstruction involving China, Russia, and European Union delegations.

Defense and security partnerships

Defense ties include cooperation with CENTCOM for training and intelligence, arms deals with Russia and France, and security coordination with IRGC-aligned militias and the Popular Mobilization Forces. Iraq hosts liaison arrangements with NATO for capacity building and partners in counter-ISIL operations with United Kingdom and Australia. Border security coordination involves Turkey over operations against the PKK, and maritime and aerial agreements with neighbors over airspace and territorial waters. Iraq participates in multilateral counterterrorism fora alongside INTERPOL and regional security organizations.

Economic and trade relations

Iraq's economy centers on oil exports managed with OPEC members and produced by international companies from China National Petroleum Corporation, TotalEnergies, Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, and Eni. Trade partners include China, India, South Korea, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, and European Union states. Reconstruction contracts and infrastructure investment involve World Bank financing, Asian Development Bank projects, and bilateral investment agreements with Russia and China. Iraq engages in energy diplomacy through pipelines, port access at Basra, and agreements with Iran on electricity and gas. Financial ties include work with the International Monetary Fund on stabilization and relations with international banks and sovereign funds from Gulf Cooperation Council members.

Diplomacy and foreign policy priorities

Iraq prioritizes sovereignty restoration, territorial integrity, counterterrorism, attracting foreign investment, and balancing relations among United States, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic efforts emphasize reconstruction diplomacy with United Nations and European Union partners, normalization of ties with Kuwait, and mediation roles in regional disputes. Baghdad seeks to diversify partnerships with China, Russia, and Japan while engaging Arab League initiatives, Organization of Islamic Cooperation diplomacy, and Kurdish outreach involving Erbil.

International disputes and border issues

Key disputes involve the Iraq–Kuwait boundary resolved after the UN demarcation and compensation mechanisms from the Gulf War. Water sharing and riparian rights with Turkey and Syria over the Tigris and Euphrates have been persistent, tied to dam projects like Atatürk Dam. Border security with Iran includes Shatt al-Arab/Shatt al-Arab demarcation legacies and cross-border militia activity, while tensions with Turkey arise from cross-border counterinsurgency and pipeline security. Maritime access disputes around the Persian Gulf involve navigation, port development at Basra, and regional energy transit corridors.

Category:Foreign relations by country Category:Iraq