Iraq at the behest of the Saudi Arabia is to play the role of mediator between the kingdom and Iran, Iraqi Interior Minister Qasim al-Arraji was cited as saying by the ISNA news agency on Sunday.

A member of the Saudi royal family expressly called upon Iraq to attempt to ease the tensions between Riyadh and Tehran, al-Arraji said without naming the official.

In January 2016, Riyadh cut off diplomatic ties with Iran after a mob stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in protest against Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 people, including a prominent Shia cleric.

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani criticized the attack on the embassy and declared himself ready to compensate the Saudis for the damage, but Riyadh rejected the offer.

After his re-election in May, Rowhani has again attempted to end the crisis with Saudi Arabia.

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