Mofaz: US, J'lem to hold extra talks due to Iran

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, who is in charge of Israel's strategic dialogue with the US, told the cabinet Sunday that Jerusalem and Washington have decided to hold a strategic dialogue five times a year, rather than twice a year as is currently the case, in order to focus on the Iranian situation. Mofaz led an Israeli team last week in a strategic dialogue held with senior US officials, led by US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, the number two official in the State Department. Mofaz is scheduled to go to Washington in late April or early May to continue the discussion. Mofaz briefed the cabinet on last week's talks, which focused on the Iranian nuclear issue, but also dealt with the confrontation between radical and moderate Islamic elements in the region.