What with all the talk lately about Iranian fighters in Iraq (whom I understand have been there all along), I've been wondering what are Iran's actual interests in Iraq? I do understand the political gain to be won by a marginal nation in terms of fighting the American and Western presence in the Muslim world. But, as a materialist, I have to wonder what kind of real interests are the Iranians defending or pursuing by sending fighters to Iraq? Simply sticking it to the Americans seems to have more rhetorical potential than anything else? So, what is it?
I will pick a best answer, so please don't respond to my question with more simpleminded rhetoric or bigoted responses.
2007-01-27 08:50:18 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Just with the answers given so far, my faith in Yahoo! Q&A has been reaffirmed. I'll let it go a while longer and see what other people have to say, too. For now, really, these are great answers.
2007-01-27 09:12:40 · update #1
I believe that Iran's interest is multi-faceted; however, primarily they are interested in promoting the existence of a Shite controlled and Iran friendly government in Iraq.
The 1981 Iran-Iraq war was over Islamic ideological differences as much as it was about power, oil, and land grab/disputes.
Iran does not want a Sunni-controlled or Kurdish government in Iraq, but does want and Islamic Republic modeled after their own that can be either annexed, or will be compatible or "friendly" with their country and that shares similar ideological philosophies
and interests globally. The doctrine of their religion is what is motivating them.
In their minds, "Sticking it to the Americans," is not one of the motivating factors, but is simply an extra bonus.
2007-01-27 09:07:42 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. US of A, Baby! 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There has been a real war between the Sunnis and Shiites since the death of Mohammad. Iran is mostly Shiite and so is Iraq. If the Shiites can take out the Sunnis, it will expand the Shiite empire. Right now most of the Arab states are mostly Sunnis.
2007-01-27 17:03:02 · answer #2 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am writing this from Tehran. 28 years ago the mullahs took over my country and stole everything they could get their hands on. They took complete control over import-exports and every penny goes into their pockets (Also family and friends). The exports include 2.5 Million barrels of oil per day.
They also rbbbed all the museums and confiscated hundreds of thousands of Antiques from rich people or robbed Archealogic sites in broad daylight and sold all the stuff mostly to the japanese or Europeans.
They also control the prices that way they buy cheap and sell very expensive, this includes the Stock market, Foreign currencies, food, real estate, .................
If Americans leave the Iranian mullahs will take complete control over Iraq and the looting will start, right after they massacre the Sunnis.
2007-01-27 17:00:09 · answer #3 · answered by DECEMBER 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Iraq is 2/3 Shiite. Iran nearly 100% to combine all resources against the rest of the region full of Sunni and then to defeat Isreal is the goal. The M.E. is and has always been a land and soul grab.
2007-01-27 17:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Iran's goal is to become an Islamic superpower to further their jihadist goals. It's why they're pushing their nuclear weapons program at the expense of relations with the entire world.
Looking at what an Iranian dominated Iraq would bring to that goal.
Oil money.
More people.
A lackey to do their dirty work.
Closer to Saudai Arabia ( who is their primary rival despite the language between Iran and the US ).
It's some combination of all of the above.
2007-01-27 16:55:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Spreading radical Shiite Islam. Since Iraq is 2/3 Shiite, they think they have a chance of that.
2007-01-27 16:55:10 · answer #6 · answered by ddey65 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
iran has to main borders. one is afghanistan, run by the US and the other will be Iraq. They probably feel the US is preparing for a war on two fronts.
2007-01-27 16:53:44 · answer #7 · answered by Dear Cabbie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Iranians want an unobstructed path to Israel. It's really that simple.
2007-01-27 16:52:55 · answer #8 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oil
2007-01-27 16:52:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The USA believe it or not.
2007-01-27 16:59:27 · answer #10 · answered by DAVAY 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋