Baghdad says it is ready to mediate between Iran and the U.S. with the aim of initiating a new round of talks between the two sides.

“Preoccupation with the U.S. security deal as well as several domestic matters related to the electoral law and the Kirkuk issue have prevented the Iraqi government from acting as an intermediary for a new round of talks between Iran and the United States,” Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Haj Hammoud told the London-based daily al-Hayat on Sunday.
“The Iraqi government has no objection to intervene as a mediator for a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington if the parties feel that they wish to hold fresh negotiations,” he added.
Haj Hammoud also said that a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington could yield serious results, particularly regarding Iraqi security issues.
A member of the United Iraqi Alliance parliamentary majority bloc, Muhammad Taqi Ali al-Mawla, also told al-Hayat that the Iraqi government was ready to mediate between Tehran and Washington.
Meanwhile on Friday, Iran's Ambassador to Baghdad, Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, said Tehran was prepared to study an Iraqi request for a new round of talks with the U.S. on Iraq's security situation.
Iranian and the U.S. officials have previously discussed the Iraqi security situation in three landmark rounds of negotiations, which were held at the ambassadorial and expert levels in 2007.
Iran has repeatedly called for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, insisting that the pullout of U.S. troops is the only way to restore security and stability to the war-torn country.
The United States and Iran severed diplomatic relations in April 1980, and have had no direct contact ever since.
(Source: Press TV)