Iraq on Sunday offered to meditate between Iran and the U.S. amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Mohammed al-Hakim, the Iraqi foreign minister, made the offer during a news conference with Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was in Baghdad, The Associated Press reported.

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Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been high since the Trump administration pulled out of the Obama-era nuclear deal.

They have escalated more recently, as the U.S. sent a carrier strike group and bomber taskforce to the Middle East, though the White House has not publicly identified a specific threat from Tehran.

On Friday, President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE announced he would send about 1,500 troops to the Middle East to bolster force protection for those already in the area.

At the same Sunday press conference, Zarif said Iran would defend itself against “war efforts.”

Iranian officials announced last Monday that they have increased their capacity to produce enriched uranium.