Nothstanding the fact that US troops sit on its doorstep, you cannot argue that Iran is a big loser from the US invasion of Iraq. The opposite is true

National, World and Business News | Reuters.com: "Defence Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi signed a pact in Tehran agreeing to accept Iranian military training and other cooperation with the country Iraq fought for a decade under ousted leader Saddam Hussein.

Responding to the suggestion that the the thaw in ties with Iran would anger Washington, Dulaimi said: 'Nobody can dictate to Iraq its relations with other countries.'

Iraq is anxiously trying to improve its ties with other Muslim countries to win legitimacy and undermine insurgent support. But mainly Sunni-led Arab states have been cautious about embracing the Shi'ite-dominated, U.S.-backed Iraqi authorities."