With regard to the obvious questions about Iraq’s motivations on this issue, some critics will doubtless suggest that the Iraqis are on Iran’s side, simply acting as a mouthpiece for their neighbours. However observers say that it’s more likely this is further evidence that Iraq wishes to play a stronger part in Middle Eastern affairs.
In particular, their current role at the head of OPEC allows them to do this and they wish to make their mark here, and a success of their year in the chair. Additionally the Iraqis still plan to host the formerly-postponed Arab Summit in Baghdad in March; their growing diplomatic role in this area has also been seen in the way they’ve involved themselves in other negotiations – such as the ongoing crisis in Syria and in acting as a go-between for Iran and the US.
The role that Iraq is playing in this instance once again highlights the nation’s unique position in the region, at least, diplomatically speaking. Within the Arab world, Iraq is the only country to maintain relatively friendly relations with the West, and the US in particular, with neighbouring Iran and also, most recently with the Gulf States.
The latter relationship was recently solidified by the Saudi Arabian government’s announcement that they were naming an ambassador to Baghdad for the first time since 1990, when former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. The ambassador will be based in Jordan because the Iraqi capital remains a dangerous place. The Saudi Arabian government, which is largely Sunni Muslim, has had an uneasy relationship with Iraq’s mainly Sunni Muslim-led government.
Obviously, no nation acts without thinking hard about its own interests: and also at stake here are Iraq’s own oil exports, which go through Hormuz Strait. The Iraqis are also well aware that any crisis in neighbouring Iran will translate to a crisis in Iraq, and then eventually into a regional crisis – and this would most likely not just be an economic problem but also one of security. So they have a direct interest in smoothing things out.
Basically it seems that Iraq hopes to maintain the flow of oil through the Hormuz Strait. “Iraq’s policy is to create a balance between supply and demand and to resolve all problems through dialogue,” Iraqi oil ministry spokesman Asem Jihad, told NIQASH. “It is seeking to keep political struggles away from this sector.”
(Source: NIQASH)
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