Iraq suggests a security council involving Iran, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and Iran on the map. Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq has officially suggested forming a joint security coordination council with Iran and Saudi Arabia to address what it calls a severe crisis of trust between the two regional powers. The Security Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister of Iraq, Qasim al-Araji, put forward the diplomatic initiative on behalf of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government to stabilize the region where Iraq strives to manage its own turbulent security climate. Baghdad clearly planned the initiative to reconcile serious tensions between Riyadh and Tehran. Tensions rose as Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple drones aimed at its oil facilities and capital. Riyadh denounced Iran-backed militias that operate from inside Iraq. The idea comes during a very unstable period, including recent US-Saudi joint airstrikes targeting Popular Mobilization Forces’ (PMF) sites in Iraq and leading to serious criticism from Baghdad for sovereignty violations. Baghdad is also pressuring Tehran for waivers for oil tankers from Iran’s navigation restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, al-Araji underlined Iraq’s transition to ultimate domestic sovereignty. With the scheduled withdrawal of the US-led international coalition forces from Iraq, Baghdad is adopting a strategy to put all armed factions and weaponry under strict state supervision, consolidating the country’s ultimate authority over war and peace choices. Neither Saudi Arabia nor Iran has released a formal public response to the Iraqi initiative.