Rarely will a nation experience the luxury of unbridled generosity. Even after major natural disasters, disease epidemics or major conflict, the afflicted nation can hope to receive meted-out aid, but it will likely fall short of “open slather” generosity. So it was quite a historic moment when Iran offered the embattled government of Iraq literally anything it wanted in order to deal with the Islamic State.

When questioned on the offer, Iraqi Ambassador Lukman Faily said, “[T]heir approach to it, more or less, was to have what I might call an open check with Iraq. ‘What do you need?’ And they offered us literally anything we wanted, troops and everything else, air force usage and everything else.”

But rather than welcome it with open arms, Iraq has been hesitant to accept—and with good reason. Much like the Trojan horse to Troy, Iran’s gift could actually mean the end of Iraqi freedom.

Ever since the Islamic State became established in northern Iraq, the Iranians have sought to bolster the ailing Iraqi military with their own forces. While conducting their own airstrikes from above, Iranian-backed militias have been doing the bloody door-to-door fighting with the Islamic State. The success of these Shiite militias is undeniable, with a string of victories being attributed to the supervision of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (irgc) Maj. Gen. Qassem Suleimani. Under his guidance, brigades of Shiites led by irgc commanders are defending territory across the nation with occasional incursions into Islamic State territory.

But so far, the full weight of Iran’s military has been held back.

One of the major reasons is the threat of sectarian violence. Iraq’s Sunni minority is deeply skeptical of the interference of Iranian-backed Shiites. Allegations of Shiite brutality in “liberated” villages and towns are already widespread. Many Sunnis see Iran’s interference as an effort to exert more control over the nation. In an attempt to avoid the Sunni-Shia warfare that plagued the nation sporadically throughout the United States’ engagement, the Iraqi government has remained reluctant to bring the Iranians further into the conflict.

The Sunnis’ fears are entirely justifiable. Iran has used its considerable finances and military to establish militias as major players in the past. Look at Hezbollah in Lebanon. The terrorist group virtually owns southern Lebanon and is rarely troubled by the Lebanese government. In Libya, Shiite militias are in control of vast swathes of the country. In Egypt, the sudden rise of the Muslim Brotherhood was largely endorsed by Iran. In Yemen today, the Houthi rebels survive and thrive on the support of Iran.

With a pro-Iran Shiite government already established in Iraq—a Shiite majority nation—the opportunity for Iran to promote its ideals is even more potent. And it looks set to become worse.

Now that Iran has brokered its deal with America, many Iraqis believe it will give Iran an opportunity to act with impunity in Iraq. No wonder the Shiites support a nuclear deal while most Sunnis oppose it.

With $150 billion at its disposal, Iran looks set to take a more active role in the Middle East, including Iraq. Undoubtedly, Iran’s offer to Iraq is a standing one, and with the Islamic State threat not going away and the U.S. reluctant to engage, the temptation to turn to Iran will grow stronger yet.

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey summed it up well when he said:

[T]he activity of the Iranians and their support for the Iraqi Security Forces is a positive thing in military terms against [the Islamic State]—but we are all concerned about what happens after the drum stops beating, [the Islamic State] is defeated, and whether the government of Iraq will remain on a path to provide an inclusive government for all of the various groups. We’re very concerned about that.

And we should be too. With its sanctioning shackles loosed, we are about to witness the unbridled abilities of Iran as it wields its influence across Iraq and abroad. Iran has had its eyes on Iraq for decades, and the Trumpet has kept a watchful eye on Iran. If you haven’t already, be sure to read Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s article “Is Iraq About to Fall to Iran?” In it Mr. Flurry asks, “Have we now cleared the way for Shiite Iran to rule over Shiite Iraq?”

Look at the geopolitical climate in the Middle East today, look at Iran’s capabilities, and look at what Iran is offering to Iraq. The answer is a resounding yes.