Download Locations

• Open CRS (User submitted)

Summary

With a conventional military and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threat from Saddam Husseins regime removed, Iran seeks to ensure that Iraq can never again become a threat to Iran, either with or without U.S. forces present in Iraq. Some believe that Irans intentions go well beyond achieving Iraqs neutrality that Iran wants to try to harness Iraq to Irans broader regional policy goals and to help Iran defend against international criticism of Irans nuclear program. Others believe Iran sees Iraq as providing lucrative investment opportunities and a growing market for Iranian products and contracts. While some see Iran as having accomplished many of its key objectives in Iraq, others maintain that Iran has suffered key set backs over the past year. Its protg Shiite factions, formerly united, are increasingly competing with each other politically and several are losing support among the Iraqi public. The most pro-Iranian factions generally fared poorly in the January 31, 2009, provincial elections. Iran has sought to achieve its goals in Iraq through several strategies: supporting pro-Iranian factions and armed militias; attempting to influence Iraqi political leaders and faction leaders; and building economic ties throughout Iraq that might accrue goodwill to Iran. It is Irans support for armed Shiite factions that most concern U.S. officials. That Iranian activity has hinderedand continues to pose a threat toU.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq, and has heightened the U.S. threat perception of Iran generally. This report will be updated; also see CRS Report RL32048, Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses, by Kenneth Katzman.

Related Reports:
• RS22323

XML