Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour said Tehran is ready to mediate between Baghdad and Ankara after the Iraqi prime minister condemned Turkey’s insistence on participating in retaking the IS-held city of Mosul.
Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday, Rahimpour pointed to recent remarks made by the head of Expediency Council’s Center for Strategic Research, Ali Akbar Velayati, about Iran’s readiness to mediate between Iraq and Turkey, Tasnim News Agency reported.
“If they ask us [to act as an intermediary], we have no problem,” he said.
“Naturally, Turkey and Iraq should be interested in our mediation.” Tensions between Turkey and Iraq have recently risen with Turkish leaders saying the country was engaged in the offensive to retake the Iraqi northern city of Mosul from the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group.
Iraq has objected to the presence of about 500 Turkish troops at a base near Mosul, saying that they are there without permission from Baghdad.
Turkey has refused to withdraw them and insists on playing a role in the Mosul offensive.
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