Iraq offers to mediate between Iran, US

Iraq offered Sunday to mediate in the crisis between its two
key allies, the United States and Iran, said Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al
Hakim, Alsumaria news reported.
"We are trying to help and to be mediators," said
al-Hakim, adding that Baghdad "will work to reach a satisfactory
solution" while stressing that Iraq stands against unilateral steps taken
by Washington.
Hakim made the offer during a joint news conference in
Baghdad with visiting Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.
"The sanctions against sisterly Iran are ineffective
and we stand by its side," al-Hakim said.
The crisis takes root in President Donald Trump's withdrawal
last year of America from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers
that capped Iran's uranium enrichment activities in return to lifting
sanctions. Washington subsequently re-imposed sanctions on Iran, sending its
economy into freefall.
Zarif insisted that Iran "did not violate the nuclear
deal" and urged European nations to exert efforts to preserve the deal
following the U.S. pullout.
Zarif said Iran will be able to "face the war, whether
it is economic or military through steadfastness and its forces." He also
urged for a non-aggression agreement between Iran and Arab countries in the
Gulf.
Iraqi Parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi said on Sunday
that his country is playing a pivotal role to ease the tensions between Iran
and the United States.
His remarks were carried by Sumariya news channel after a
meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Halbousi stressed, during the get-together, that Baghdad is
keen on maintaining its relations with Iran and all neighboring countries,
warning of the repercussions of the current regional escalation.
He reiterated that dialogue and peaceful initiatives are
necessary to end the current tensions.