Curious that our new friend on the block, Iraq, is not mentioned here.Considering the size of their proven reserves, you’d think they would “want in”.
I think it’s about the Gulf states, the GCC. Perhaps they’re still wary of Iraq and don’t want to get embroiled with Iran and Iraqi politics. I could see them adding Iraq in the future but Iraq has some issues to sort out first I think.
Saudi Arabia and GCC are uncomfortable with Iraq because it is a democracy that has a government elected by a Shiite majority. Saudi Arabia and GCC rather have a Sunni dictatorship than a democracy.