{"id":55080,"date":"2019-07-14T16:12:15","date_gmt":"2019-07-14T16:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/07\/14\/eu-supports-iraq-proposed-conference-on-us-iran-tensions\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:51:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:51:09","slug":"eu-supports-iraq-proposed-conference-on-us-iran-tensions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2019\/07\/14\/eu-supports-iraq-proposed-conference-on-us-iran-tensions\/","title":{"rendered":"EU supports Iraq-proposed conference on US-Iran tensions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BAGHDAD \u2014 The European Union supports an Iraqi proposal to hold a regional conference amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, the group\u2019s foreign policy chief said Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iraq is an ally of the two rival nations, which are on a collision course as the Iran nuclear deal threatens to unravel. Iraq has offered to mediate between Tehran and Washington, while Iran has pressed European parties to the nuclear agreement to offset the effects of U.S. sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, on her first visit since 2014, said the EU shared with Iraq the approach to dealing with the difficult situation, adding that the priority is to avoid escalation and any miscalculations that could lead to “dangerous consequences” for Iraq and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said the EU is ready to support the regional conference idea “in all ways that could be useful.” She said there is a need to de-escalate and find avenues for dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avenues of the “unknown … can be dangerous for everybody,” Mogherini said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t