Transcendent Policy

Transcendent Policy

An Analysis of the Interaction of the Islamic Republic of Iran with Shīʿa Parties in Iraq from 2003 to 2021

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Bagher Hakim 1
Gharine KeshishianSiraki 2
Mohammadreza Ghaedi 3
1 PhD. Student, Department of International Relations, Ki.C., Islamic Azad University, Kish, Iran
2 Department of Political Science and International Relations, ST.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Political Science and International Relations, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
10.22034/sm.2025.2057668.2298
Abstract
The objective of the present research was to examine the interactions of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Shīʿa parties of Iraq during the timeframe of 2003-2021, and with a constructivist approach, it has analyzed the role of these interactions in the formation and reinforcement of Shīʿa identity in Iraq. During this period, Iran, by supporting Iraqi Shīʿa parties, attempted to consolidate its own influence while countering the influence of other powers, particularly Saudi Arabia. Conversely, Saudi Arabia, by emphasizing Sunnī identity and supporting opposition and occasionally extremist groups, specifically prior to the year 2018, sought to alter the balance of power in its own favor by restricting Iran's influence. This rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has culminated in the deepening of religious schisms in Iraq, divergence among Shīʿa parties, and challenges to the political and security stability of Iraq. In addition to the theoretical approach, questionnaires concerning the subject of the research were provided to Iranian and Iraqi elites; the results of the theoretical research indicate that Iran's interactions with Shīʿa parties have contributed to the reinforcement of religious identity and the augmentation of convergence between Iran and Iraq, but simultaneously, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia in this context has caused the expansion of sectarian tensions and negative impacts on the internal unity of Iraq and the positioning towards their presence. This research, by presenting an analytical framework derived from the constructivist approach, while evaluating the dimensions and consequences of this rivalry, has proposed solutions for the amelioration of regional interactions.
Keywords
Shīʿa parties
religious identity
constructivist approach
regional interactions
Iraq
Iran
Saudi Arabia
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Transcendent Policy
Volume 13, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 271-290