A Study of the Effective Geopolitical factors of Iraq and their Impact on National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Geopolitical sphere of Iraq has integrative and disintegrative forces which act under certain circumstances. These forces are continuously in competition with each other. Iraq has undergone great upheavals in recent years and these developments have led to change in power structure and identity. As a result there has been change in geopolitics and change in the approach of actors and regional players. Ethnic and religious groups, hydro politics, national identity and Arab identity, oil resources and the huge revenue coming from them and access to Persian Gulf have deep impact on Iraq developments. These factors have led to adoption of different geopolitical strategy. Depending on the conditions of Iraq, the type and the composition of government in power, Iran's national security will be affected and Iraq can becomes an enemy, strategic rival, strategic partner. The present article by examining political geography, interior space, history and geopolitical factors of Iraq, using a descriptive-analytical method deals with set of spatial, political and security compulsions.