A strategic partnership

Jalal Talabani, Iraq’s president (L) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president (R) in Baghdad [EPA]

They are neighbours, and now there are indications that Iran and Iraq might be headed towards strategic partnerships.

During a recent visit to Baghdad, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president, signed agreements aimed at strengthening the two countries’ ties.

Iran has also offered Iraq $1bn in loans for projects to be handled by Iranian companies.
 
With this visit being the first to Iraq by an Iranian president, is the visit also the beginning of a new partnership between the two?

 

And is Iranian influence aimed at squeezing the US out of Iraq? Or is it filling vacuums the US cannot?
 
Inside Story, with presenter Sami Zeidan, looks at the changing relationship between Iran and Iraq and what it means for the two countries.