Comparative Analysis of Cybercrime in the Legal and Policy Frameworks of Iran and Iraq
Keywords:
Cybercrime, Comparative Law, Cyber Policy-Making, Iranian Law, Iraqi Law, Cybersecurity, Combating CybercrimeAbstract
The developments in information and communication technology over recent decades have turned cybercrime into one of the most significant legal and policy challenges at both national and international levels. This article presents a comparative analysis of legal and policy approaches to combating cybercrime in the two countries of Iran and Iraq. In this study, the legal and regulatory frameworks of both countries in addressing cybercrime are first analyzed, followed by an examination of the key similarities and differences between the two legal systems. The research method is comparative in nature and is based on content analysis of laws, official documents, and judicial practices. The findings of the study indicate that despite existing similarities in the definition of cybercrime and the necessity of strengthening cybersecurity, there are fundamental differences in executive structures, policy-making approaches, and the level of alignment with international standards. Furthermore, this study addresses challenges such as the lack of regional convergence, shortage of technical expertise in executive institutions, and the weakness of international cooperation, and proposes strategies to improve the current situation. In addition to enhancing the body of knowledge in comparative law, this research can assist policymakers and legal professionals in developing more effective strategies to counter cybercrime.
References
AbdulAmeer, S. A., Saleh, W. R., & Hussam, R. (2022). Cyber Security Readiness in Iraq: Role of the Human Rights Activists. Journal of Cybercrime Studies. https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/86
Afshari, M. (2019). Comparative study of cyber-crime in Iran and international law. Journal of Comparative Law. https://lps.journals.umz.ac.ir/article_2566_783e7bca98a9dedadefe9404b701cfec.pdf
Ali, W. W., & Ahmmad, Y. K. (2023). The emergence of cybersecurity and its roles in developing contemporary international law. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378769830
Amiri-Moghadam, E., & Zarei, S. (2022). Comparative Analysis of Laws in Iran and Iraq Against Internet Fraud. Defense Law Studies, 17(5), 58-75. https://sds.sndu.ac.ir/article_1653.html
Asgari, M., Moravat, H., & Alipour, H. (2020). Comparative Analysis of Iran's Criminal Policy in Combating Cyber Theft. Criminal Law Research, 12(4), 34-50. https://jclr.atu.ac.ir/article_12123_0.html
Bayancenter. (2022). Constructing an interinstitutional effort on cyber security in Iraq. https://www.bayancenter.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/87tr6tdf.pdf
Dehmardeh, S. (2020). A Study of the Legal System of New Technologies in Iran. Blue-Ap.com. https://blue-ap.com/J/List/8/iss/volume%2009%20(2020)/issue%2002/2.pdf
El Guindy, M. N., & Hegazy, F. (2014). Cybercrime Legislation in the Middle East. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259583247_Cybercrime_Legislation_in_the_Middle_East
Eslami, R., & Danesh, A. (2023). Critical analysis of representation in cyberspace; case study of Iran. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-022-10675-8
Gharaibeh, A., & Al-Senussi, M. (2023). Administrative Obligations for Diplomatic Missions in the Context of International and National Law: Implications and Challenges for Cybercrime. Journal of Cybercrime Studies. https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/207
Ghareb, M. I., & Sedeeq, F. M. (2018). Electronic Crimes and the International Community Legislation: Comparative Analytical Study. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mazen-Ghareb-2/publication/327159884_Electronic_Crimes_And_The_International_Community_Legislation_Comparative_Analytical_Study/links/5b7d5d0092851c1e12273c11/Electronic-Crimes-And-The-International-Community-Legislation-Comparative-Analytical-Study.pdf
Golkhandan, S. (2024). The Extent of Using the Control Theory to Deal with Computer Crimes in Iran's Criminal Policy. Journal of Comparative Criminal Justice. https://www.jccj.ir/article_200467.html?lang=en
Javadi, M., & Aghababayi, R. (2022). Developing Cyber Criminal Policies in Iran to Combat Hacking. Scientific Quarterly of Opinions, 11(4), 90-112. https://doi.org/10.25007/ajnu.v11n4a1246
Katman, F. (2021). The Islamic Republic of Iran's cyber security strategy. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429399718-37
Kshetri, N. (2005). Pattern of global cyber war and crime: A conceptual framework. Journal of International Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2005.09.009
Majidi, S. (2021). Analysis of Iran's Criminal Policy Against Phishing. Criminal Studies, 8(3), 29-50. https://nashr.majles.ir/m/article_442.html?lang=fa
Manap, N. A., & Taji, H. (2012). Cyber crimes: Lessons from the legal position of Malaysia and Iran. International Journal of Information and Electronics Engineering. https://doi.org/10.7763/IJIEE.2012.V2.125
Mokhtaripour, M. (2021). A comparative study of Internet police on combating computer crimes. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280977819
Nehme, T. (2023). Impasse of Cyber laws: Iraqi Case. https://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/en/content/impasse-cyber-laws-iraqi-case
Rahimi, M., & Shaygan-Fard, A. (2023). Iran's Criminal Law Approach to Privacy Protection in Cyberspace. Justice Legal Journal, 10(2), 45-67. https://www.jlj.ir/mobile/article_707463.html
Shahbazi, A. (2019). Technological developments in cyberspace and commission of crimes in international law and Iran. Journal of Legal Ethical & Regulatory Issues.
Shahbazi, A., & Shabani-Kolahi, F. (2024). Legal Challenges in Protecting Personal Data in Iran's Cyberspace. Modern Technology Law Journal, 19(1), 80-97. https://mtlj.usc.ac.ir/article_190516.html
Suleiman, N. M., Hatim, A., & Alseidi, M. A. (2023). Cybercrime Laws in Iraq: Addressing Limitations for Effective Governance.
Tarrad, K. M., Al-Hareeri, H., & Alghazali, T. (2022). Cybercrime Challenges in Iraqi Academia: Creating Digital Awareness for Preventing Cybercrimes. Journal of Cybercrime Studies. https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/download/87/24
Zarneshan, S., Kheyrani, R., & Soleimanian, M. (2022). Evaluation of Iran's Status Regarding International Regulations on Cybercrimes. Legal Research Journal, 15(3), 56-78. https://jlr.sdil.ac.ir/article_148310.html?lang=fa
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Haider Abbas Mohammad Al Saleh (Author); Mahmood Ashrafy (Corresponding author); Mohammad Jabbar Jadoo Al- Abdali, Masoud Heydari (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.