Over the past 20 years since the 2003 downfall of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, the nation's civil society has undergone significant changes. However, specific factors like Iraq's political economy, religious and ethnic divisions, and foreign influence have created an environment where civil society's development is both in line with some of Iran's interests while also being at odds with others. This article examines the relationship between Iraq's current civil society and the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, considering its relative weakness, dependence on government and political currents, and persistence of religious and ethnic divisions. The main hypothesis suggests that despite these challenges, Iraqi civil society's general inclination towards a stronger Iraqi identity and nationalism contrasts with narratives portraying Iran as having broad influence in the country. This study draws by using of questionnaire of Iraqi civil society activists to provide insights into the complex dynamics between Iraqi civil society and Iran's interests in the region