Mashhadani’s election is significant for Iran as it tries to build stronger ties with Iraq, which is facing internal conflicts while balancing their relations with Iran and the US, apart from navigating the fallout from the raging conflict in the Middle-East and an impending Iran-Israel war.
Iran-Israel war: In a major move ahead which is likely to strengthen Iran’s influence in neigbouring Iraq, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a prominent Sunni leader with close ties to Iran, has been elected as the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, a decision which has stunned the United States as well as Israel, as Iran prepares to launch retaliatory strike on the Jewish nation.
Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who previously served as Speaker from 2006 to 2009, was once again elected to the post on Thursday, a majority of 182 of the 269 MPs present in parliament, breaking a months-long deadlock over the decision between Iraq’s political parties. The speaker’s post had been lying vacant for nearly a year.
Akin to Lebanon, top government posts in Iraq are reserved for different communities in an attempt to decentralise power. The Prime Minister’s post is reserved for a Shia, the President for the Kurdish, while the Speaker’s post is reserved for a Sunni leader.
The Speaker’s post fell vacant in November last year after then Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi was removed from office by Iraq’s Supreme Court following a corruption case against him.
Iran promoting sectarian unity in Iraq to strengthen influence
Iran, which is regarded as a Shiite powerhouse, with over 92-95 percent Shiite population, is promoting sectarian unity in Iraq, which also boasts a large population of Shias, to strengthen its influence in the neighboring country as its prepares for a long-war with Israel and its allies, especially the United States.
With Mahmoud al-Mashhadani’s ascension to the Speaker’s post, Iran seems to have strengthened its hold in Iraq, as the Iraqi leader is reportedly close to its powerful neighbor, including its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Notably, the Speaker is a key post in the Iraqi Parliament as he acts as a mediator between rival political parties, a role which is significant for the government to achieve economic reforms and ease internal tensions.
The Iraqi government, which is marred by allegations of corruption and internal rifts between lawmakers from pro-Iran Shia political faction and the Sunni faction close to former Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi, seem to have settled their differences by unanimously electing al-Mashhadani.
Mashhadani’s election is significant for Iran as it tries to build stronger ties with Iraq, which is facing internal conflicts while balancing their relations with Iran and the US, apart from navigating the fallout from the raging conflict in the Middle-East and an impending Iran-Israel war.
Iran holds sway in Iraq
Iran already wields overwhelming influence in Iraq, owing to several pro-Iran political factions and rebel outfits which hold significant sway in the Arab nations. Iran-backed militant groups regularly launch drone attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria, in support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza, which is openly supported by Washington.
The rebel groups have also launched several attacks on Israel in recent months amid the escalating conflict between Tel Aviv and Tehran. Experts believe that Iran may use Iraq as a base of operations to launch its planned retaliatory strikes on Israel.