Analyst: Iraq could mediate between U.S. and Iran

Iraq possesses the potential to serve as a mediator between the United States and Iran, a role that could significantly bolster its standing in the region, according to analyst A. Rizkas.

Rizkas told CNN that a key objective behind inviting Mr. Ghalibaf (presumably referring to an Iranian official, though not explicitly stated in the provided text) might be to solidify Iraq's position as a crucial intermediary. This move, he suggests, would also strengthen the standing of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi as a key partner for both Washington and Tehran.

However, Rizkas expressed skepticism about Iraq's ability to achieve greater success than previous mediators like Pakistan, Qatar, and Oman, noting that their efforts have not been particularly fruitful. He questioned what makes Iraq's case unique in this regard.

The analyst highlighted Iraq's history of being caught in the middle of U.S.-Iran tensions, recalling the U.S. strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport during Donald Trump's presidency. Recent joint U.S.-Saudi strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq were a response to attacks on U.S. forces and Saudi oil facilities.

Prime Minister al-Zaidi visited Washington in July, meeting with then-President Trump. He described the visit as the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations, focusing on economic cooperation rather than military ties.