The United States and Iran have set a date for ambassador-level talks in Baghdad on the deteriorating security situation in Iraq—the first such meeting since late May, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Sunday.

The two sides will sit down together on Tuesday, according to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and U.S. Embassy spokesman Philip Reeker, amid U.S. allegations that Tehran is supporting violent Shiite militias in the country.

Zebari told The Associated Press by telephone that the discussions would be at the ambassadorial level and would focus on the situation in Iraq, not U.S.-Iran tensions.

Iraq's fragile government has been pressing for another meeting between the two nations with the greatest influence over its future, and Iran has repeatedly signaled its willingness to sit down. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said last week that Washington was also ready to hold new talks with Iran on the security situation in Iraq.

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Filed under: * Economics, Politics • Iraq War

1. Wilfred wrote: Presumably they will not take our ambassador hostage at the first disagreement that arises. July 22, 9:03 pm | [comment link]

2. bob carlton wrote: Thank God that someone in the Bush Regime is beginning to follow parts of the Iraq Study Group.  Hopefully, Bob Gates will increase in prominence on issues around Iraq. July 23, 2:15 pm | [comment link]

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