Iraqi president confirms Baghdad hosted Saudi-Iranian talks 'more than once'
President Barham Salih said the first round of talks occurred in early April, which he described as 'important and significant.'
Iraqi President Barham Salih confirmed Wednesday that Baghdad has hosted more than one round of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in what marks the first official acknowledgment of Iraqi mediation in the regional dispute.
Reuters reported that Salih revealed the Saudi-Iran talks during a live interview with the Beirut Institute think tank, saying the discussions first took place early last month and have occurred “more than once.” He didn’t comment further on the nature of the talks, adding only that they were “important and significant.”
The two regional powerhouses have long been at odds and have competed for influence in various proxy wars across the Middle East. In 2016, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran following violent protests at its embassy in Iran, which were triggered by Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shiite Muslim cleric.
The Financial Times first reported on direct talks between senior Saudi and Iranian officials in Iraq, which is home to many Iran-backed militia groups. The April 9 meeting was reportedly mediated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad.
