BAGHDAD - (Xinhua) - The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Wednesday, the transition of the Iranian -Saudi dialogue sponsored by Iraq from the security track to the diplomatic track, stressing the continuation of the negotiation sessions between Tehran and Riyadh.

The official Iraqi News Agency (INA) quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Al-Sahhaf as saying that "the Iranian-Saudi dialogue has moved from its security track to the diplomatic track," without further details on how this step took place.

Al-Sahhaf stressed the importance of the step towards bringing the points of view closer and resolving the outstanding issues between the two sides, in a way that achieves the interests of each party and the repercussions of these interests at the regional level.

He added, "Iraq is still promoting positive visions and close views," noting that "the last meeting of the negotiating sessions took place in Baghdad and was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"We are still coordinating between the two sides for the possibility of achieving other rounds of dialogue that will be held on more consensus," he added.

Al-Sahhaf explained that "the Iraqi Foreign Ministry is working towards adapting the multiple strategic partnerships that are dedicated to the security and stability of the region," adding, "The stability of the region is achieved only by working to devote collective interests."

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia severed its relations with Iran in January of 2016 after its diplomatic headquarters in the cities of Tehran and Mashhad in Iran were attacked by protesters against Riyadh’s execution of the Saudi Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

In an attempt to bridge the views between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Iraq has sponsored since April 2021 five rounds of negotiations between the two countries in the capital, Baghdad, taking advantage of its positive relationship with both sides.