TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that his government had accepted a U.S. request for ambassador-level talks on Iraq, to be held "in the near future."
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told state television that Iran had agreed to a U.S. request for a second round of talks, to be held in Iraq at an unspecified date.
"The second round of talks between Iran and America will be held in Iraq at an ambassador level in the near future," Mottaki told state TV. He said the meeting would be aimed at improving conditions in Iraq.
"Iran has always announced its readiness to help the Iraqi government and nation, and the talks will be held in this perspective," Mottaki said.
The U.S. and Iran held a first round of ambassador-level discussions on security in Iraq on May 28 in Baghdad. Mottaki said the request for a new meeting came on Washington's initiative, because of the hardships faced by U.S. troops in Iraq.
"It is currently a difficult situation for the Americans in Iraq, and the Americans are looking for a solution to overcome the current conditions," he said.
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