Iraq seeks to ease Saudi-Iran hostility at Baghdad summit

Gulf Today Report

Iraq has invited Iran, Saudi Arabia and some other countries including Gulf nations to a summit in Baghdad.

Officials say the meeting, which will also discuss the war in Yemen, Lebanon's collapse and a regional water crisis, could take a step towards Saudi-Iranian rapprochement even though they have yet to say what representation they will send.

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Iraqi officials hope that Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi will attend the meeting, planned for Saturday.

US President Joe Biden (right) speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi. File photo

"Even if we bring the foreign ministers together at one table this could be considered a breakthrough to end the tensions between Iranians and the Gulf Arabs," an official close to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi said.

A politician close to the premier said Iraq, which hosted the private meetings earlier this year between Saudi and Iranian officials, had received "positive signals" from Tehran and Gulf Arab countries that they were ready for more direct talks, according to Reuters.

So far Kuwait has been the only Gulf state to confirm its participation, sending its prime minister.

Egypt and Jordan have been invited to the Baghdad meeting along with Turkey and French President Emmanuel Macron.