13 hours ago
Iraq's diplomatic offensive: how Baghdad led the charge to de-escalate a regional war
Baghdad ( – As the Middle East teetered on the brink of a wider conflagration following Israeli and US strikes on Iran, Iraq shifted its historical role from a theater of conflict to a proactive diplomatic leader. Through a swift and calculated initiative, Baghdad successfully unified Arab and Islamic ranks to de-escalate tensions, a move analysts are calling a hallmark of a new, 'productive diplomacy' for the nation.
This diplomatic offensive was formalized in Istanbul during an emergency meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers—held at Iraq's request—and the subsequent 51st Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers from June 20-22, 2025. There, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein tabled a specific, actionable proposal: the formation of a joint, open-membership 'Ministerial Contact Committee' to open channels of communication and manage the crisis collectively. In a significant diplomatic victory for Baghdad, the proposal was adopted first by the Arab League and then by the OIC.
The Iraqi initiative was framed as both a moral and strategic necessity. MP Alia Nassif stated the move was crucial to highlight what she termed Israel's disregard for international law, stripping its 'brazen aggression' of any international legitimacy. Fellow MP Ruqayya Rahim Al-Nouri described the initiative as more than a typical diplomatic gesture, calling it the 'nucleus of a sustainable Islamic coordination front' that revives the concept of collective deterrence and sends a clear message that an attack on one Muslim state will be met with a unified position.
Political analysts noted that this successful maneuver was not an isolated event. Political researcher Saadoun Al-Saadi explained that the initiative is a continuation of Iraq's concerted policy over the last two years to reposition itself as a 'center for diplomacy' in the region. Analyst Ghalib Al-Da'ami added that the positive reception from other nations was a direct result of the 'significant improvement in relations between Iraq and other Arab and Islamic countries,' which allowed Baghdad's call for unity to be embraced.
This approach was based on a dual principle, according to analyst Ahmed Al-Wandi. 'Iraq started from the principle of rejecting aggression against Iran, while at the same time, it sent out calls for calm, believing that dialogue and diplomacy are the only ways to preserve the region's stability,' he said. Al-Wandi asserts that this clear, early stance from Baghdad influenced other nations and created the political pressure that was instrumental in pushing the parties toward an eventual ceasefire.
In a moment of profound regional crisis, Baghdad chose not to remain on the sidelines. Instead, it moved to shape the response, unify the message, and lead a charge for de-escalation, marking a significant evolution in its role as a key player in Middle Eastern stability.
