Macron’s practical step towards reducing Iran’s regional influence
According to Iran Gate, following the special regional conference in Jordan, where prominent leaders, especially Macron, emphasized reducing the dependency of regional countries, particularly Iraq, on Iran in various areas, it was considered as a factor in reducing tensions in the region.
Now, with the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Paris, the leaders of Iraq and France announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement after a dinner at the Elysee Palace.
The signing of this agreement took place one month after Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, emphasized reducing the Islamic Republic’s influence in Iraq. The leaders of France and Iraq announced that this agreement is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and creating an official and permanent framework for diverse and comprehensive cooperation.
Mr. al-Sudani arrived in Paris on Thursday, the sixth of Bahman, for a two-day visit and met with Elizabeth Bourne, the Prime Minister, and Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.
Strategic cooperation between Baghdad and Paris
In the early hours of Saturday, the Élysée Palace issued a joint statement by the President of France and the Prime Minister of Iraq, announcing the signing of a cooperation agreement. According to the provisions of this agreement, the aim of these collaborations is to achieve mutual benefits based on equality in governance and rights, and in accordance with the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
The joint statement of the two countries states that specific plans in the areas of politics, military, security, economy, trade, culture, environment, and science will be implemented through this agreement to strengthen bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister of Iraq also announced the signing of this agreement in a tweet and stated that we will continue serious cooperation with our French friends to achieve economic reforms and sustainable development in Iraq, as outlined in our government’s program.
The leaders of the two countries also emphasized their commitment to continuing cooperation within the framework of the Baghdad Conference, an initiative led by France and the Iraqi government.
So far, two sessions of the Baghdad Conference have been held, one in Iraq and the other in Jordan, with the presence of Macron. In the second session of this conference, the French President indirectly emphasized the efforts to reduce the influence of the Islamic Republic in Iraq and stated that Iraq should pursue a path other than the dictated pattern from abroad.
An implicit attack and criticism of the Revolutionary Guards
Furthermore, in a joint statement, the leaders of France and Iraq condemned attacks that weaken the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, regardless of where they occur. In recent months, the Revolutionary Guards have carried out attacks against Kurdish groups opposing the Islamic Republic in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The government of Mr. Shia al-Sudani, supported by the majority of Shiite parliamentary representatives in Iraq, who are under the protection of the Islamic Republic.
Macron’s stance faced reactions from the officials of the Islamic Republic, and the spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the influence of the Islamic Republic in the region is not formed by the narratives of this person or that person, this magazine or that media outlet.
The signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between Iraq and France is taking place while Baghdad is under pressure from Washington to prevent the smuggling of dollars from Iraq to Iran. Additionally, Iraq is currently facing a severe devaluation crisis of its national currency, and in recent days, hundreds of people have gathered in front of the Central Bank of Iraq building in Baghdad to hold protest rallies.
Mr. Al-Sudani had said on the eve of his trip to Paris that he hopes to reach an agreement with France in the areas of education and the development of Iraq’s security capabilities, as well as the purchase of weapons.
While Iraq’s power grid is outdated and the country is reliant on Iran for energy, Baghdad is also seeking to strengthen its energy sector and diversify its energy sources.
Paris and Baghdad emphasized their commitment to completing projects such as the modernization of Iraq’s power grid and connecting it to the Jordanian power grid.
The Islamic Republic’s interference
After the Islamic Republic’s involvement in the dispute over the appointment of the Prime Minister in Iraq, the selection of Al-Sudani, which led observers to continue to see Iran as having influence in Iraq, some surprising statements and decisions by Al-Sudani have raised serious doubts about the Islamic Republic’s control and influence over the new Prime Minister.
After using the fake term ‘Arabian Gulf’ instead of ‘Persian Gulf’ in a tweet with the Sudanese account of the Islamic Republic, the Iraqi ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to public pressure, and the Iranian government expressed its objections to him. However, the Sudanese reiterated their insistence on using this fake term in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
Furthermore, after pressure from the United States on the Iraqi government to seriously control the transfer of dollars to Iran, the Sudanese issued serious orders to fulfill the demands of the Americans. Their statement about the lack of urgency for the withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq shocked Tehran once again.
And now, in line with Macron’s desire to reduce dependence on Iran, the Islamic Republic has signed strategic cooperation agreements with France, so that once again it falls into the trap of one of its seemingly friendly nations in its foreign policy.
Persian
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