Iraq is regarded as a pivotal element in Iran's foreign policy. For Iranian policymakers, Iraq represents a more critical and, consequently, a more sensitive operational ground than other nations where Iran extends support to local militia groups. Historical evidence indicates that developments in Iraq can have significant repercussions for Iran's stability. Iraq continues to pose a threat to Iran's national security, which underpins Iran's efforts to influence Iraq's internal policies and strategic orientation. Since 2003, Iran has adeptly infiltrated the Iraqi Shia population by capitalizing on the long-standing common borders and cultural, religious, and economic ties with Iraq. Iran's influence is multifaceted, encompassing access to a diverse array of political and social actors. Hence, this research aims to examine the various geocultural factors in Iran-Iraq relations. To accomplish this objective, a descriptive-analytical method and Wizard software were employed. The findings of the research reveal that the divergent factors in geocultural relations between Iran and Iraq are situated in critical and semi-critical conditions. The robust scenario board comprises eight distinct possible situations. Among these eight scenarios, three are classified as critical, one as semi-critical, one as static, two as semi-optimal, and one as optimal. It is also noteworthy that the majority of Iranian and Iraqi citizens share a common religion, namely Shia Islam. The religious seminaries, or hawzas, located in the religious cities of Qom in Iran and Najaf in Iraq serve as centers of Shiite education; however, they have developed within two distinct and competing traditions. This factor presents an opportunity for potential improvement in the situation.
