Washington approves Iraqi proposal to mediate between US and Iran

US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in the White House. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – US President Donald Trump has approved Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s proposal to mediate between the United States and Iran. This diplomatic breakthrough is intended to diffuse the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, according to local news outlet Channel 8 News. During their recent meeting in Washington, al-Zaidi asked Trump for approval to establish an official Iraqi mediation effort between the United States and Iran. Trump authorized al-Zaidi to undertake the plan as part of attempts to address the continuing Strait of Hormuz issue. According to insiders, the mediation would focus on restoring stability to marine shipping and energy flows across the key canal. Al-Zaidi informed Trump that, while Pakistan has been involved in political and diplomatic discussions, Iraq plans to lead the economic track of mediation. The Iraqi effort will look for answers to interruptions in commercial shipping and oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, which have led to a broader global energy and economic crisis. According to reports, al-Zaidi plans to visit Tehran on Thursday for a series of high-level talks. He and the accompanying Iraqi officials are anticipated to return to Baghdad later that day.