Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi has affirmed Baghdad’s readiness to mediate between Iran and the United States during contacts with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as conflicting messages from both sides reach Iraq’s new government.
Al-Zaidi’s media office said in a statement issued on Tuesday that he had received a phone call from Pezeshkian, who congratulated him on being tasked with forming the government. The two discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
The statement said al-Zaidi stressed Iraq’s support for diplomacy and dialogue to resolve disputes, affirming Baghdad’s ability to contribute to mediation between Tehran and Washington.
Al-Zaidi’s offer builds on Iraq’s previous role in hosting indirect channels of communication between Iran and the United States, as well as regional talks hosted by Baghdad in recent years, in an effort to ease tensions and promote stability, drawing on its ties with both sides and its geographic and political position.
Observers say Tehran has chosen to wage a diplomatic battle with Washington through Baghdad, sending “loaded” messages to al-Zaidi parallel to similarly “loaded” messages he received from Washington, beginning with Trump’s post, followed by his phone call of congratulations and remarks about al-Zaidi’s rise with American “help.”
The exchanges point to early signs of friction between the two sides over the new government in Baghdad.
By contrast, the Iranian president's comments on X took a more hardline tone. He called for the “removal of the military threat from the region,” saying “Muslims cannot be subjugated.”
This highlights a divergence in rhetoric between an Iraqi approach focused on de-escalation and diplomacy and an Iranian position emphasizing deterrence amid pressure.
The development comes as al-Zaidi’s government has yet to win parliament’s confidence, making any potential mediation role tied to the domestic political process and to Iraq’s balance in its relations with both Tehran and Washington.
“Iran’s strength”
In Tehran, the Fars News Agency, citing a statement from the Iranian presidency, reported that al-Zaidi said during the call that “Iran’s strength today is not exclusive to Iran, but represents support for all Muslims and Shiites.” He added that Iraq “will never accept that this strength be taken away from Iran.”
According to the statement, al-Zaidi linked that strength to the support Iraq received in confronting ISIS, saying, “This strength is what helped us in the war against terrorism.”
He added, according to the agency, that Iraq “needs Iran’s support,” saying “Iran’s strength is Iraq’s strength, and Iran’s weakness is Iraq’s weakness as well.” The remarks reflect the level of convergence in the two sides’ security outlook, especially on shared regional challenges.
The agency also reported that Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s readiness to develop relations with Iraq, describing the two countries as “more than neighbors.” He stressed Tehran’s support for Baghdad in various fields, while also expressing readiness to settle disputes with countries in the region.
According to the agency, al-Zaidi expressed his desire to raise bilateral relations to advanced levels in the economic, political, and security spheres. He also affirmed Iraq’s readiness to host talks between Iran and the US, describing this as a “humanitarian and political duty.”
