The story: Sadrist Movement leader, Muqtada Al-Sadr, is seemingly dismissing US pressure to engage with other key players to resolve the political deadlock in Iraq. This comes as Tehran and Washington increasingly appear to share common ground in their view of the necessity for dialogue to result in a new government in Baghdad.

The details: Iraq’s President Barham Salih received US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski in Baghdad on Aug. 24. The two sides discussed “easing tensions in the region through dialogue,” among other topics.

• The day before, on Aug. 23, the US embassy in Baghdad urged all parties to “resolve any political differences through a peaceful process guided by the Iraqi constitution.” It also called on protesters to “respect the proceedings and property of Iraq’s governmental institutions,” in an implicit reference to the Sadrists...