The United States envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, has said Iraq holds the "magic key" to resolving regional crises and opening dialogue with Iran, casting Baghdad as a bridge between Washington and Tehran as the war on Iran continues. Barrack was speaking on Wednesday at a discussion hosted by the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. He said Washington encourages Baghdad to strengthen trade ties and religious visits with Tehran rather than adopt a hostile stance towards its neighbour, according to [Shafaq News](https://en.hathalyoum.net/articles/306140). ## Dialogue alongside pressure Barrack stressed that the diplomatic approach would continue alongside US economic sanctions against Tehran and the possibility of military action if necessary. He also insisted on the need to end the presence of armed factions in Iraq and bring all security forces under state authority, a demand Baghdad has pressed on Iran-aligned groups. ## A bridge over the blockade Barrack also said Baghdad could act as a conduit around the US blockade on Iran while Iraq pursues a target of 10 million barrels per day of oil output, according to [Wisevoter](https://wisevoter.com/world/2026/11/11/iraq-bridge-us-blockade-iran-oil-output). He urged Iraq to seek foreign investors to back export pipelines. Iraq currently exports its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, which Barrack said cannot alone handle all of the country's delivery needs. The target would be well above the six or seven million barrels a day Iraq currently moves through the strait. ## Partnership after the coalition mission Addressing the end of the Global Coalition's mission in Iraq, Barrack said Washington's position had been clear from the beginning: coalition forces would leave Iraq while the United States maintained its broader partnership with Baghdad. The remarks come as Washington and Tehran try to negotiate an end to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began in late February.