The Iranian regime, fearing the prospect of Bashar Assad’s downfall, unveiled its approach towards Maliki and Iraq in an attempt to heal the pains of its defecting Revolutionary Guards and Bassij forces.
The IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency wired a report on Saturday admitting to many of the facts it refused to officially announce to this day.

“Iraq’s policy towards Syria is an integral part of the relations between Baghdad and Iran and it is related to the relations between Baghdad and Russia. Iraq has joined the International and regional alliance between Iran, Iraq, Russia and Syria and the crisis in Syria strengthens this alliance.
Iraq’s policy towards Syria may be the most ambiguous foreign policy in the region. Apparently, it seems that Iraq is following the policy of “cutting relations” which is similar to Lebanon’s policy regarding the situation in Syria. But the truth is that Iraq is supporting Syrian regime in different ways.
“Iraq’s policy towards Syria cannot be isolated from its relations with Iran
Iraq has direct relations with the Syrian regime and does not allow the Syrian refugees to enter its soil. Iraq’s policy towards Syria cannot be isolated from its relations with Iran. As Iran’s influence has been increasing in Iraq, these relations have become considerable in recent years to the point that despite his many differences with Iran and its policies, Maliki has become one of Iran’s allies.

Iraq’s $4 billion arms deal with Russia
This deal started when Iran used its influence and credibility in Iraq to support continuation of Maliki’s government as opposed to its opponents both among the Shiites and the Iraq’s elites. The outcome of the change in Iraq’s policy and Maliki’s options was the increase in Iraq’s tendency to follow policies of Iran and its regional and international network of allies. This change of direction became evident by Maliki’s visit to Moscow it was led to the four billion dollars arms deal between Iraq and Russia.
Currently Syria is considered the most important issue of Iran’s foreign policy agenda
Iraq made the arms deal with Russia in order to satisfy Iran and compensate for Moscow’s policy in supporting Syria and Iran to confront the challenges such as the issue of Iran’s nuclear programs and the future of Syrian regime. Arms deal was part of Iraq’s policy to support Iran and its measures and it made no difference whether this policy was related to Iran or to its allies, especially Syria, which is now, apparently the most important issue of Iran’s foreign policy agenda.

Iraq’s obvious support for Iran’s policies
Iraq supports Tehran’s policies, particularly on the issue of international sanctions and nuclear programs. Credible international reports indicate that Iraq has a role in selling oil for Iran and providing it with reliable foreign currency in order to help Iran to be able to provide the foreign currency it needs for buying necessary items that have been forbidden due to international sanctions.
Iraq provides Syria with oil by giving discounts so that Syrian army could afford its growing needs for their missions. Iraqi officials also allow Iraqi paramilitary forces to go to Syria and support Syrian regime against its opponents.

Iraq repeats Iran’s viewpoints that what is happening in Syria is an international conspiracy in order to turn Syria into a place for the activities of the extremists and a safe haven for al-Qaida and that the solution for this problem is to accept an internal political solution, without any foreign intervention. This will never happen because it is being refused by Syrian regime.

Iraq’s policy towards Syria is an integral part of its relations with Iran
The most important of all is that the policy of Iraq towards Syria is an integral part of its relations with Iran and it is related to Baghdad’s relations with Russia. Practically, Iraq has joined the international and regional alliance between Iran, Iraq, Russia and Syria, and the internal crisis in Syria has strengthened this alliance.