Iraq proposes joint security council between Iran and Saudi Arabia

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Iraq has proposed the establishment of a joint security council between Iran and Saudi Arabia due to a ‘crisis of trust’ between the two regional powers, said Qasim al-Araji, the Iraqi prime minister’s national security adviser, on Sunday (23/8).

The problem between these two countries is a crisis of trust, al-Araji told the state television station Iraqiya TV.

Al-Araji said Iraq has conveyed the proposal to Iran and Saudi Arabia. He did not provide further details regarding the mechanism of the proposal. Neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia has yet given an immediate response.

Al-Araji explained that placing all weapons under state control is a purely strategic decision by Iraq, while emphasising that decisions regarding war and peace rest entirely in the hands of the Iraqi state.

This has long been a security and political challenge in Iraq amid the presence of various armed groups operating both inside and outside the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

The proposal to form a joint security council comes amid rising regional tensions and days after Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed developments in the region.

Both stressed the need to restrain escalation and resolve disputes peacefully.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran-affiliated militias of being behind the attack and said it reserves the right to respond.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered security agencies to investigate information provided by Saudi Arabia regarding the launch of drones from Iraqi territory.

Source: Anadolu