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BAGHDAD, May 26-- Iraq said on Sunday that it opposes sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran and proposed to mediate if asked. "We stand with our neighbor Iran and we affirm that the economic blockade is useless and causes great suffering to the Iranian people. Therefore, we stand against this blockade," said Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Jawad Zarif who is on an official visit to Iraq. "We are always against the unilateral measures by the United States. We stand with our neighbor Iran, and will be an appropriate mediator for the two sides if asked to do so," al-Hakim told reporters. For his part, Zarif said Iran "has strong desire to establish relations with all countries of the Gulf." Iran has "presented proposals for cooperation with regional countries, including signing a non-aggression pact with Gulf countries," he added. A statement by the media office of the Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi said al-Halbousi held a meeting with Zarif, in which he confirmed Iraq's intention to "play a pivotal role in reducing the escalation between Tehran and Washington to avoid the risk of escalation in the region." According to the statement, Zarif said Iran "has no desire in any military escalation, and it is ready to accept any initiative that could help reduce the escalation." On Saturday afternoon, Zarif arrived in Iraq's capital Baghdad and met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and President Barham Salih, discussing bilateral ties and regional situation. | 
