Region | Iran
Iran says US talks delayed for technical reasons
Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday technical reasons were behind the delay in talks between Iranian and US officials on Iraq and denied new US claims that Tehran was fueling violence in its neighbour.
- Agencies
- Published: 12:05 February 17, 2008
Tehran: Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday technical reasons were behind the delay in talks between Iranian and US officials on Iraq and denied new US claims that Tehran was fueling violence in its neighbour.
Tehran on Thursday postponed what would have been a fourth round of talks. The move has prompted Washington to question Tehran's commitment to dialogue.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said, "The postponement of Iran-US talks has been due to technical reasons, it has nothing to do with any other issues."
He said an exact date for talks would be announced later.
Washington accuses Iran of destabilising Iraq while Tehran blames the US occupation for the strife. David Satterfield, the US State Department's Iraq coordinator, said on Friday Iran was "intent on continuing to promote violence within Iraq".
In response to Satterfield's comments, Hosseini said Iran "has had no hand in the unrest in Iraq, there are no pieces of evidence in this regard."
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