Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Saturday that Tehran would enter into discussions with Washington over the situation in Iraq, citing requests from the Iraqi government and people. He said Iran would proceed while weighing the interests of Iraq and the broader Islamic world, and in coordination with other Muslim nations.
Ahmadinejad made the remarks during a meeting with Syrian First Vice President Faruq al-Shara. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had signaled cautious approval for such talks earlier in the week, though he insisted Washington should withdraw from Iraq.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday she was confident direct talks would take place, while US envoy to Baghdad Zalmay Khalilzad, expected to lead the negotiations, accused Iran of supplying Iraqi militias and insurgent groups.
The White House suggested Iran may have delayed accepting the US proposal, originally made in November 2005, to ease international scrutiny of its nuclear program, which had been referred to the UN Security Council. Iran maintains its nuclear activities are purely civilian in nature; Washington contends Tehran is pursuing atomic weapons.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2006, in its own words.