Are Iran and US engaging each other?

US and Iranian delegates talk at Baghdad conference, but only within context of Iraqi situation; Iran says conference to stabilize Iraq is test of whether US is serious in trying to prevent all-out civil war
Reuters

US And Iranian envoys exchanged direct talks Saturday at a Baghdad conference on Iraq stability efforts. The US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmy Khalilzad, said he exchanged views with Iranian delegation "directly and in the presence of others" at the conference.

He declined to give details of the contacts - calling them only "constructive and bussiness-like and problem-solving" - but noted that he raised Washington's assertions that Shiite militias receive weapons and assistance across the border from Iran.

Khalilzad called it a "first step," adding that "the discussions were limited and focused on Iraq and I

don't want to speculate after that," he said.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari also emphasized that "the issues discussed in the meeting were totally focused on Iraq's security and stability...(with) no other political agenda brought to the meeting." suggesting that the international hot topic of Iran's controversial nuclear program had not been broached.

"There were no one-to-one meetings, everything was in the framework of the meeting," Abbas Araghchi, deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs and the senior Iranian delegate at the conference, emphasized

'Baghdad conference a test for US'

Iran sees a regional meeting in Baghdad as a "test" of whether the United States is serious in trying to solve Iraq's problems, the head of Tehran's delegation was quoted as saying prior to Saturday's conference.

Araghchi, before leaving Tehran, said that the main aim was to help improve security and reconstruction efforts in violence-racked Iraq, the ISNA news agency reported.

"We are heading to the meeting just to help Iraq's government," he said.

While the conference which got under way on Saturday seeks ways to provide regional support for Iraq's government, it comes against a background of increasing US-Iranian tension over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

It was seen as a rare opportunity for bringing together the two old enemies at the same table, even though it was unclear whether they may meet bilaterally as well.

Mid-level officials from Iraq's neighbours, Arab countries and the five permanent UN Security Council members also attended the conference in the Iraqi capital.

"From our point of view this meeting is a test ... for measuring American policies, to figure out if America is really trying to solve the problems even though they keep looking for adventures," Araghchi said.

Washington accuses Iran and Syria of fuelling the Iraq war by supporting either Shi'ite militias or Sunni militants. Iran and Syria deny the charges.

Analysts say Iran's decision to attend the meeting reflects a more conciliatory approach in its foreign policy. But they also say Iran remains wary US officials could use it to berate Tehran for what Washington calls its meddling in Iraq.

Araghchi said: "We are waiting to see the behaviour of the American representatives and to estimate the situation."

Shi'ite Iran has close ties within Iraq's Shi'ite majority, who were oppressed during Saddam's rule but became politically dominant after the US-led invasion toppled the Sunni Arab strongman in 2003.

The United States has led international efforts to impose tougher sanctions on Iran over its refusal to stop enriching uranium, which could be used for nuclear weapons. Tehran says it only wants nuclear power to generate electricity.

But on Thursday Washington signalled it is open to bilateral talks with Iran and Syria by saying it will not rebuff them if they wish to discuss stabilising Iraq at the Baghdad meeting.

Araghchi did not say whether he might hold talks with US officials, but made clear the focus would be on Iraq.

"Our attendance in this meeting is just for helping Iraq's government in different aspects especially security and economy," he said.