Publius Pundit

« Previous · Home · Next »

Iran and the United States Hold First Bilateral Meeting Since 1979

Filed under: Iran

Today, the US Ambassador Ryan Crocker met with the Iranian Ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qomi at al Maliki's office in Baghdad. The Iraqis were represented at the talks by Mowaffak al-Rubaie, the National Security Adviser. The discussions were about Iraq's fragile to some, non existent to others, security status.

The United States and the Iraqis know that Iran is supporting the Shiias militias (al Hakim and al Sadr) and when it suits its interests even the Sunni terror cells. For their part the Iranians will most likely deny such allegations, and ask for an immediate timetable for the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq.

Bottom line: the United States wants Iran to stay out of Iraqi affairs, and Iran wants the United States and coalition troops out of Iraq. I bet they'd (Iranians) want the US troops out of the region, but thats not going to happen anytime soon.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said about the meeting, "We are hopeful that Washington's realistic approach to the current issues of Iraq by confessing its failed policy in Iraq and the region and by showing a determination to changing the policy guarantees success of the talks and possible further talks."

Iran's nuclear program was not discussed at this time.

Social Bookmarking:
Del.icio.us this del.icio.us | digg this digg | Add to Technorati technorati | StumbleUpon Toolbar stumble upon | Furl this furl | Reddit this reddit