Iraq denies report on ceasefire mediation between US and Iran

Iraq has denied a media report that said Baghdad was mediating efforts to secure a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, the prime minister's office said the claims in The New York Times report were "completely baseless and had no connection to reality."

Reported Mediation Denied

The New York Times had reported that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi conveyed a US ceasefire proposal during a visit to Tehran after meeting with President Donald Trump. The report said Iranian officials rejected the proposal because it did not address control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq urged media outlets to rely on official sources and refrain from circulating unsubstantiated reports.

Escalating Tensions

The denial comes as tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, with both sides exchanging strikes since Trump announced on July 8 that the ceasefire in last month's memorandum of understanding was no longer in effect. The confrontation has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and threatened global energy supplies.