Iran-Iraq Defence Agreement Sparks US Concern Over Growing Iranian Influence

On August 11, 2025, Iran and Iraq signed a significant defence agreement focused on strengthening joint security operations along their approximately 1400-kilometer shared border. The deal was formalized in Baghdad with participation from Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary General Ali Larijani, and Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani.

Purpose of the Agreement

The agreement aims to enhance border control and security cooperation to address challenges stemming from regional unrest and insurgent activities, particularly involving Kurdish opposition groups. It builds on a March 2023 accord between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan aimed at tightening border security. Following protests triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022, tensions escalated, resulting in pressure on Iranian Kurdish opposition fighters within Iraq. Iran accuses these groups of fomenting unrest and having Mossad links, which opposition forces deny. Tehran’s concern is that these fighters could cross the border amid increasing tensions with the US and Israel, fueling instability.

Why This Has Upset the United States

The US is deeply troubled by the Iran-Iraq security pact for several reasons:

Expanding Iranian Influence: The US perceives the deal as a consolidation of Iran’s growing sway over Iraq’s security apparatus. Washington wants to curb Tehran’s influence and the presence of Iran-backed militias such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba within Iraq’s security framework.

Militia Arms Threat: Iran-backed militias possess medium-range missiles and drones capable of striking Israeli and American installations. The US fears that allowing these groups to proliferate without restraint could escalate conflict risks in the region.

Control over Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF): The US advocates for the disbandment or full governmental control of certain PMF components and insists on government reclamation of territories held by these militias. Failure to do so could provoke Israeli airstrikes, potentially destabilizing Iraq and the broader Middle East.

Summary

The Iran-Iraq defence agreement underscores Tehran’s strategic goal to secure its borders and suppress Kurdish insurgents while extending its regional influence. The accord, however, alarms the United States, which sees it as undercutting American efforts to limit Iranian militancy and maintain regional stability.

This development reflects the complex geopolitical dynamics in Iraq, involving overlapping interests of Iran, Iraq, the US, and local militias, with profound implications for Middle Eastern security.