Paris wants Iran to help crush Islamic radicals
France is prepared to invite Iran to an international conference Monday aimed at coordinating actions to knock out the Islamic State extremists in Iraq - even though that runs counter to the US refusal to deal with Tehran.
The position reflects a recent shift in France's policy toward Iran, a Shiite Muslim nation and neighbor of Iraq that joins regional states and the West in adamantly opposing the advance of the radicals. Tehran's long-time influence in Sunni Iraq, including at times a military presence, makes it a logical partner in France's eyes.
A French official helping to plan the conference says the only hitch is agreeing with partners, but added "we are not far from a consensus." The official, who was not authorized to be publicly named, didn't elaborate.
