Sputnik - The Iraqi authorities are going to convey Tehran's proposal to conclude a nonaggression pact to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran Saad Jawad Qandil said on Saturday.



"Iraqi officials welcomed him and announced that they would convey the proposal to�the countries of�the Gulf, especially to�those who do not have relations with�Iran, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain," the ambassador told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA).


Late last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif invited Gulf countries to�sign a nonaggression pact amid�a tense situation in�the region.

In January 2016, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with�Iran after�Shiite Muslims attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in�the country protesting against�the execution of�prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in�Saudi Arabia. Following Riyadh's decision, such countries as�Bahrain, Djibouti and Sudan have made similar steps.

Last month, the United States strengthened its military presence in�the Middle East by�deploying an aircraft carrier strike group, Patriot missiles, B-52 bombers, as�well as�F-15 fighters, to�the Middle East. US National Security Adviser John Bolton described it as "a clear and unmistakable message to�Iran".