Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said Iraq is making efforts to arrange a bilateral meeting between Iran and the United States in Baghdad with the aim of resuming talks.

According to Baghdad Al-Youm, al-Sudani stated that Iraq has played a role in reducing tensions on several occasions, adding that despite specific considerations held by each side, neither party opposes the resumption of dialogue.

He said that relations with Iran, at official, political, and popular levels, are moving in a positive direction, noting that Baghdad seeks to use this relationship to help restart negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Al-Sudani stressed that Iran’s support for Iraq in confronting terrorism and backing the political process does not constitute interference in Iraq’s internal affairs.

He also emphasized that Iraq maintains a Strategic Framework Agreement with the United States, which provides broad areas of cooperation beyond security and military matters, while reiterating efforts to arrange a bilateral meeting between Washington and Tehran in Baghdad.

On regional and economic issues, the Iraqi prime minister referred to efforts to link Syria to the development corridor in order to strengthen economic opportunities and stability. At the same time, he said that Iraq’s position toward Lebanon remains unchanged, announcing the allocation of $20 million for reconstruction in response to Israeli aggression.

MNA/6703996