Iraqi president meets EU foreign policy chief to discuss Iran tensions

Iraq President Barham Salih held talks on Saturday with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, on the issue of tensions between the US and Baghdad's troubled neighbour Iran.

Mogherini made her first visit to Iraq since 2014, and sacked the EU fully backed a proposal by Baghdad to hold a regional conference regarding a stand-off between the US and Iran.

Iraq is almost uniquely positioned being a close ally of both Iran and the US, with both sides playing a key role in the defeat of the Islamic State group, albeit separately.

Both are on a collision course as the Iran nuclear deal threatens to unravel with the EU unable to find a way round.

Iraq offered to mediate between Tehran and Washington.

Tehran has pressed European parties to the nuclear agreement to offset US pressure.

The US has blamed Iran for a series of attacks on shipping in the Gulf region, while Tehran's downing of a drone almost led to retaliatory air strikes.