Iraq intends to create a “dialogue platform” to reduce tensions between Iran and the US

The Iraqi government announced this Tuesday its intention to establish a “dialogue platform” in Baghdad to reduce tensions between Iran and United States, two of its main allies, at a time when Washington’s threats over the repression of the protests are increasing. “We are in contact with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US government to establish a dialogue platform in Baghdad between Washington and Tehran,” said Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, in a meeting with European ambassadors accredited to Iraq, according to a statement from the Executive’s press office. The note did not offer details about the ongoing conversations, although Iraq has emerged in recent years as the main intermediary between Iran and the United States, two rival powers but allies of Baghdad whose disputes usually affect the politics, economy and security of the Arab country.

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Al-Sudani revealed these contacts a day after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any aggression against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, would amount to a “total war”. The U.S. President, Donald Trump, stated in an interview with Politico that “it is time to seek new leadership in Iran” and accused Khamenei of the “use of violence at unprecedented levels”, with the death of “thousands of people to maintain control”. The Republican leader had already threatened to intervene militarily if the Iranian authorities violently suppressed the anti-government protests, which began on December 28 due to the deterioration of the economic situation and soon spread throughout the country with slogans in favor of the end of the Islamic Republic. Shortly before the start of the protests – which have left a toll of about 3,400 dead, according to Iranian NGOs in exile – the Iraqi government already tried to bring Tehran and Washington to the negotiating table to resolve the tensions initiated after the attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran last June. Al-Sudani stated in an interview with the Lebanese channel Al Mayadeen that “Iran needs trust”, and described attacking the Persian country while talks were underway to reach an agreement as “unacceptable”.