Iran on Monday said it will not hold a new round of talks with the US on security in Iraq until American forces end their current assault against Shiite militias.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini's announcement on Monday is the first official confirmation that the talks will be suspended.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency quoted an unnamed senior Iranian negotiator Saturday as saying new talks were not possible with continued US attacks against the Iraqi people.
The spokesman, however, added on Monday a legal crackdown should be carried out against Iraq's outlaw armed groups. He confirmed a recent visit by an Iraqi delegation to Tehran and its meetings with the country's political, economic and security officials. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly voiced its support for the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Tehran has always attached importance to security and stability in Iraq," he said.
He added that Iran has done everything in its power to help in improving stability and national unity in Iraq and establishing convergence among different Iraqi groups.
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
