In recent weeks, a series of flights carrying Russian engineers, officials and businesses have continuously landed in southern Iraq. Moscow's growing presence in the region is drawing attention, especially as the US and Israel are shifting their strategy of curbing Iran.
According to Iranian energy sources, Russia is pushing for a series of new oil and gas deals with the Baghdad government, aiming to expand its influence from the Partisan region in the North to southern Iraq - where most of the country's oil reserves are concentrated.
Currently, Russian Lukoil Group holds a 75% stake in the West Qurna 2 oil giant and a 60% stake in the Eridu mine.
At recent meetings between Iraq's Oil Minister Abdul Ghani, Russian Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev and Lukoil leaders, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation, including a preferential profit sharing mechanism, contract extension and priority for the development of new mines.
Not only aiming at oil and gas benefits, Russia is also said to want to reshape the regional energy structure in the direction of "Russia - Iran cooperation", with Iraq acting as an intermediary.
The basis for this activity lies in the fact that many large oil fields located along the border of the two countries actually exploit the same tank, such as Majnoon ( Iraq) - Azadegan (Iran) or Badra - Azar. This overlap creates favorable conditions for Iran to "hide" in oil contracts signed by Iraq, especially when Russian companies are behind the operation.
Not stopping at oil, Russia is also quietly supporting Iraq in developing its civilian nuclear program. A plan with Russia is being promoted to deploy small nuclear reactors for power generation.
In addition, Russia's strong presence in Iraq also helps the Kremlin get closer to the strategy of "land connection" from Iran to the Mediterranean, through Syria and Lebanon.
