Britain and France are looking into a deal that would make it difficult for French citizens - who were fighting with the organization of the Islamic state in Syria to return - to their country, in exchange for weapons and diplomatic support for Iraq.
The issue of resettling these fighters - held by Kurdish forces in Syria - has become more urgent.
France and Western countries do not yet know how they can deal with the tens of thousands of state fighters and their families who left in Syria after the collapse of the Caliphate.
France has allowed the return of a number of French orphans to their homeland and refused to restore adults. Officials worry that many of these citizens will end up in turmoil in Syria to join Islamic groups or return home by their own means.
The Times noted that Washington, Paris and other Western governments consider transferring these citizens to trial in Iraq an acceptable alternative, although they are likely to face execution there.
Baghdad is believed to have asked for $ 1.8 billion from Western countries to receive some of the detainees. However, the talks with France focus on weapons instead of money, as Baghdad seeks to acquire French trucks equipped with artillery systems, along with a promise from Paris to stay away from the Iraqi Kurds.
The talks between Paris and Baghdad have led to the expulsion of 14 alleged French "jihadists" from Syria and their trial in Iraq. However, diplomatic sources indicate that the real number may be higher.