By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran's foreign minister said Monday that the talks between Iranian and US officials in Baghdad on Iraq's security could be successful if Washington changes its "failed" polices.
Manouchehr Mottaki also left open the possibility of future meetings with the US but only if Washington admits its US-led war in Iraq and other regional issues have not been successful.
"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," Mottaki said during a speech at the Persian Gulf Security and International Law conference in Tehran.
Iran and the United States, meeting in Baghdad Monday morning, resumed public diplomacy for the first time in more than a quarter century. US Ambassador Ryan Crocker represented Washington. Iranian Ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qomi spoke for Iran at the talks, which were held at Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office in the Green Zone compound in Baghdad.
Iran sees US troops in Iraq as a threat to its security and has demanded that the US leave. Washington, meanwhile, accuses Iran of arming and financing Shi'ite militias fighting American and Iraqi troops in Iraq charges Iran denies.
Despite demanding that the US change its policies, Mottaki also added that the meeting's success depends on both sides and the "determination by both sides for solving current problems."
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