On Aug. 19 Iran’s parliament speaker visited Baghdad and urged a regional order
without external interference. Iraq’s president met the speaker, saying Baghdad
backs ending regional conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, stressed
protecting national sovereignty, avoiding escalation and minimizing use of
force. Iraq’s parliamentary speaker said Iraq is among the countries most
affected by current regional tensions and urged Iran to recognise the special
nature of bilateral ties and provide special arrangements for Iraqi oil exports
via the Strait of Hormuz to protect Iraq’s economic interests.