Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran will defend itself against any military or economic aggression and calls on European states to do more to preserve a nuclear deal his country signed with them.
Speaking in a news conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart Mohamed Ali al-Hakim on Sunday, Zarif said his country wanted to build balanced relations with its Gulf Arab neighbours and that it had proposed signing a non-aggression pact with them.
Iraq is willing to act as an intermediary between its neighbour and the United States, al-Hakim said, adding that Baghdad does not believe an "economic blockade" is fruitful - a reference to US sanctions.
"We are trying to help and to be mediators," said al-Hakim, adding that Baghdad "will work to reach a satisfactory solution" while stressing that Iraq stands against unilateral steps taken by Washington.
The mediation offer echoed one made on Saturday by Mohamad al-Halbousi, the Iraqi parliament speaker. Hakim also expressed concern for Iran's spiralling economy.
Iranians make up the bulk of millions of Shia from around the world who come to Iraq every year to visit its many Shia shrines and holy places and their purchasing power has slumped after Trump reimposed the sanctions.
"The sanctions against sisterly Iran are ineffective and we stand by its side," al-Hakim said.
Speaking about the rising tensions with the US, Zarif said Iran would be able to "face the war, whether it is economic or military through the steadfastness and its forces".
Iraqi President Barham Salih discussed with Zarif "the need to prevent all war or escalation," his office said.
Zarif's visit to Iraq follows a decision by Washington to deploy 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East.
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