Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Iraq Sunday and met with the country’s top officials, including the prime minister, president and foreign minister. Zarif’s one day trip took place just before Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was scheduled to visit Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia, then Iran and later the United States, though the Saudi visit appears to have been delayed due to the king’s health issues.

This was Zarif’s first trip to Iraq since the assassination of former Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport along with Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Upon landing at Baghdad airport, Zarif’s first stop was a visit to a mural of Soleimani and Muhandis marking the spot where the two were killed.

Iraq is in a difficult position, torn between its relations with Tehran and the need for an economic lifeline through regional countries and sanctions waivers offered by the United States. One role, according to Iranian media, that Iraq and its new Prime Minister Kadhimi can play is that of mediator between Tehran and Riyadh.

According to an opinion piece by Iranian newspaper Arman Meli, given the passing of Oman’s Qaboos bin Said Al Said and the illness of Kuwait’s emir, Kadhimi is now determined to take their place given his good relationship with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian officials. Pulling off the mediator role between these two regional rivals can elevate Iraq’s and Kadhimi’s position not just regionally but also internationally, according to the article.