Erbil, 12 March 2022 (TDI): Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq has announced without giving explicit details that the country has offered to mediate between Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
In this regard, Iraq will host another round of talks between the regional rivals; Iran and Saudi Arabia, on March 16. Four rounds of talks have already been done between Tehran and Riyadh, in Iraq.
Baghdad is hoping that its mediation would stop the two countries from seeking to settle scores on its territory. Saudi Arabia has described the talks as cordial but exploratory, while Tehran says they had gone a “good distance”.
The Iraqi Foreign Minister namely Fuad Hussein revealed that local media have cited the said recent development. The development occurred during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum took place in Turkey’s southern coastal city of Antalya. Besides, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry also has verified the remarks.
It has been said that the talks would be the fourth round hosted by Baghdad between officials from its both neighbors and mutual adversaries. The Saudi Foreign Ministry did not respond upon a request for comment.
Diplomats are hoping that the opening of direct channels between Iran and Saudi Arabia will invoke an easing of tensions across the Middle East after years of endured rivalry that have brought the region close to a full-scale conflict.
On Friday, talks to resuscitate the 2015 Iran nuclear bargain confronted failure as a last-minute Russian demand-led world power to stop negotiations for an indefinite period of time despite having a largely completed text.
Negotiators have reached the final stages of 11 months of discussions to restore the deal, which lifted sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme, long seen by the west as a cover for developing atomic bombs.
