Experts Stress Enhancing Baghdad-Tehran Relations Following Iraq Elections
The first session in a series of specialized meetings held by the Iraq National Wisdom Movement office in Iran focused on analyzing Iraq’s elections and their impact on Iranian-Iraqi strategic relations. The event took place at the House of Thinkers, according to reports from webangah News Agency.
Participants included Seyed Mohsen Hakim,Vice President of the National Wisdom Movement; Ebrahim Motaghi,full professor and faculty member at Tehran University; Hassan Khodaverdi,associate professor and member of the Parliamentary Research Center’s International relations Department; ali Akbar Asadi,faculty member; Seyed Abbas Mousavi,protocol deputy at Iran’s Presidential office and former ambassador to Azerbaijan; and Reza Jalali,associate professor of international relations and political analyst.
At the outset, Ali Akbar Asadi described Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections as secure, stable, and marked by new achievements amid regional conditions. He highlighted increased voter turnout as a key outcome. Asadi also praised the Coordination Framework’s swift formation of a majority bloc as evidence of Shia political cohesion. he stressed that pre-election concerns have diminished given current results.
Hassan Khodaverdi called these elections a clear sign that Iraqi society is moving toward nation-state building. “Iraq is progressively reducing dependency on foreign powers while strengthening nationalist tendencies,” he said. He added that a stable iraq can serve both regional and extra-regional actors’ interests.
Seyed Abbas Mousavi underscored Iraq’s democratic experience as an critically importent regional achievement.Responding to Israeli claims about being “the only democracy in the region,” he said: “after years under dictatorship and fighting terrorism, Iraq has now reached stability.” The latest election results meet international standards and demonstrate democracy consolidating within Iraq.
Mousavi also pointed out Iran’s 46-year electoral history alongside iraq’s efforts: “Unlike many countries in this region, both nations have practically presented a real image of democracy-breaking down Israel’s ‘democracy myth.'”
Reza Jalali characterized Iraq as being on an upward trajectory (“positive slope”) while commending women holding 25% representation in its new parliament. Referring to Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Jalali warned: “Israel-with US backing-is intent on weakening resistance forces.” He described figures such as the Hakim family as hopeful and influential for Iraqi Shia currents.
Ebrahim Motaghi spoke next, centering his analysis on “Iraq’s natural dependence on global power dynamics.” He emphasized that Iraqi leaders’ behavior inevitably reflects evolving regional and international developments: “Politics is fluid; changes among political actors are natural.”
Motaghi noted Western investments shaping Baghdad’s future direction toward aligning with Western interests while signaling that “Iraq will redefine resistance groups.” Highlighting Martyr Qassem Soleimani’s role combating ISIS, he asserted it is now time for Iraqi resistance forces to stand independently.
Seyed Mohsen Hakim recalled past roles played by senior religious authorities-the Marja’iyya-and all segments especially Shia citizens in combating terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. He affirmed that today’s government represents all Iraqi people with leadership centered around coordination among Shia groups (Coordination Framework)-one of its most successful administrations in recent years.
Hakim pointed out significant developmental improvements under this government evident through evaluations by international bodies including the IMF and World Bank.
He likewise described security conditions across Iraq as stable with no serious threats against national security. Effective implementation by security agencies has reduced crime rates sharply over two years while attracting $103 billion in foreign investment during this period.
The vice president also outlined new mechanisms for selecting prime minister candidates involving two specialized committees tasked with establishing clear criteria for choosing future leadership.
The inaugural meeting concluded with summaries emphasizing continued dialog to strengthen cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad going forward.
