Iraq Says U.S., Iran To Hold New Round Of Talks 'Soon'

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari (file photo) (epa) July 17, 2007 -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says Iran and the United States will hold a second round of talks on Iraq's security in Baghdad "soon."

Zebari's comments today to the Reuters news agency came as Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki said such talks could be held soon, but that Washington should first officially ask for a second meeting.


The U.S. and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq, Ryan Crocker and Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, held a first round of talks in May -- the highest-level meeting between the two countries since 1980.


(Reuters, AFP, dpa)

Iraq And Iran

Iraq And Iran

Iranian Shi'a protesting the Golden Mosque Bombing in Iraq on February 24

WHAT IS GOING ON? On March 8, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a roundtable discussion on relations between Iraq and Iran. Although most analysts agree that Iran has been actively involved in Iraq since the U.S.-led military operation to oust former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, they continue to debate the nature, extent, and intent of that involvement.
The RFE/RL briefing featured WAYNE WHITE, former deputy director of the U.S. State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research's Office of Analysis for the Near East and South Asia, and A. WILLIAM SAMII, RFE/RL's regional analyst for Iran and editor of the "RFE/RL Iran Report."


LISTEN

Listen to the complete RFE/RL briefing (about 75 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media


RELATED ARTICLES

Iran/Iraq: Bilateral Ties Improving Despite U.S. Worries

Renewed Speculation About Tehran And Instability In Iraq

Iran/Iraq: Neighbors Mending Ties, But Outstanding Issues Remain


ARCHIVE

RFE/RL's coverage of Iran. RFE/RL's coverage of Iraq.