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Iraq denies mediating in Saudi-Iran relations

November 20, 2018 at 11:02 am

Iraqi President, Barham Salih on 26 November 2008 in Baghdad [Ali Al-Saadi- Pool/Getty Images]

Iraq has denied news reports that it is proposing to mediate in tense Saudi-Iran relations, Alkhaleejonline.net has reported.

“Mass media from the Gulf States have reported an unofficial source claiming that Iran had proposed talks with Saudi Arabia,” the Iraqi presidency said in a statement on Monday. “The reports that the Iraqi president suggested his mediation in such talks and passed a message from the Iranian president to Riyadh are completely untrue.”

Tension between the two countries reached its peak after Iranian protesters set fire to the Saudi missions in Iran in 2016. The protests took place after Riyadh prevented Iranian citizens from performing pilgrimage to Makkah following claims that Iran is involved in a proxy war with Saudi Arabia in Yemen. The incidents led to the suspension of diplomatic relations.

The Iraqi statement pointed out that the country is not playing the role of mediator, but seeks to evade the consequences of the conflicts in the region. “Iraq is a meeting point for the common interests in the Arab and wider region,” the statement added. “It is important to get information about such matters from credible sources.”

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