As tension between Iraq and Syria grows, it looks like Iran is stepping in to play the mediator role between the two neighbors. The already poor relationship between Iraq and Syria deteriorated further in the aftermath of August 19th suicide attacks in Baghdad that left 100 people dead. Iraq has accused Syria of sheltering the suicide attacks’ plotters. Iraqi authorities released purported confessions from two suspects – one Iraqi and one Saudi – who said that the bombings were planned in Syria. Moreover, Syria and Iraq each recalled their ambassadors from the other country Tuesday, after Baghdad demanded that Damascus hand over two suspects believed to be responsible for planning the deadly bombings in the Iraqi capital. Iraqi officials have also stated that Iraq has begun stationing thousands of extra police on its border with Syria to prevent militants from entering the country to carry out attacks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited Iraq and Syria last week in an attempt to resolve the dispute between the two countries, which are both close allies of Iran. Mottaki met with top Iraqi officials including President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari in Baghdad on Saturday. He later flew to Syria to meet with President Bashar al-Assad in an unannounced visit. According to the Tehran Times, Mottaki said the enemy is benefiting from the frozen ties between Baghdad and Damascus and called for cooperation to resolve the current crisis. Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, has also reiterated Iran’s intention to reduce tension between the two neighbors, stating, “Syria and Iraq are our friends and we will try to restore friendly relations between these two countries.”