The Islands

"While Iran is relentless in its support for the militias in Iraq it seems to have a problem with the Iraqi governments decision to support the UAE in its claim of the 3 islands that were controlled by the Shah of Iran in 1971. The Iraqi Ambassador in Tehran was summoned by the Iranian Foreign Ministry who have asked the Iraqi government to "correct its position". i.e When it comes to making decisions regarding Arab Gulf countries the Iraqi government should take orders from Tehran and if they don't, Iraq's Ambassador is asked to notify his bosses in Baghdad of the need to "correct" their mistakes.

According to the Emirates media, the Iraqi government stated they would support peaceful efforts from the UAE to reclaim the islands. I dread to think what Iran's reaction would be if Iraq funded and supplied Bedouin militia to re-take the islands but then publicly claim to support the regime in Tehran.

The Iraqi embassy in Tehran is a bit of an enigma, you cannot enter the building without being cleared by a very arrogant and ill-mannered Iranian agent who stands at the door and demands to know what you need from the embassy (he cannot speak Arabic). When I asked one of the officials at the embassy why he stands at the door and acts like he is guarding the President, he replied "The [Iranian] foreign ministry have forced him on us, we cannot do anything about it". As I walked out I saw 2 smartly-dressed Iranians who made no effort to make sure they were not overheard by the dozens of Iraqi's standing at the door. One turned to the other and with a smile said "This isn't the embassy of Iraq, it is the Ministry of Iraq"."
Eye Raki