US consistently blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks on installations housing its personnel; same base targeted last month by armed UAV

Tehran foreign ministry says teams meeting with the hope of reaching 'common understanding' on establishing diplomatic relations between the 'two great Islamic countries'

Terror group leader says any dialog involving Tehran 'contributes to calming the region'; statement comes days after Baghdad confirms Iraqi-mediated discussions taking place

Iraqi president reveals there has been more than one round of discussions that he describes as 'important and significant'

Visiting Baghdad on the back of de-escalation talks with Riyadh, top Iranian diplomat says he hopes for 'more negotiations and understandings in the region'

Mustafa al-Kadhimi sends letter to Tehran threatening to 'announce clearly who backs these groups,' as Iranian-backed factions press for end to American troop presence

Many of Iraq's entry points are informally controlled by groups within the Hashed al-Shaabi, a powerful state-sponsored armed network close to Tehran

Pontiff's talks with Ali al-Sistani will implicitly recognize him as Shiite Islam's chief interlocutor over his rival, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Analysts say Tehran looking to boost its leverage as Washington seeks to rein in its nuclear program

Memorial event held for former head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force and senior Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both killed in US drone strike last year