Iran Nuclear Issue

US sceptical of Iran offer on Iraq talks

(Agencies)
Updated: 2006-03-20 16:28

White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley expressed scepticism on Friday about Iran's offer to talk to the United States about Iraq, saying it may be an attempt to divert pressure over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley is seen in this February 24, 2006 file photo. Hadley expressed skepticism on Friday about Iran 's offer to talk to the United States about Iraq , saying it may be an attempt to divert pressure over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. [Reuters]

Hadley told a group of reporters his concern was that the Iran offer is "simply a device by the Iranians to divert pressure that they are feeling in New York," where members of the UN Security Council are debating a statement aimed at reining in Iran's nuclear program.

The United States last November offered to have talks with Iran about US allegations that Iranians are shipping components for home-made bombs into Iraq for use against Iraqi and American targets and taking other steps to provoke instability.

Iran initially rejected the offer. But Tehran shifted course on Thursday and said it was willing to open a dialogue with the United States on Iraq.

Hadley said the United States was still prepared to hold talks with Iran but reiterated they would be limited to US concerns that Iran was stirring up trouble in Iraq, not used as a way to open negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

The US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, would be the U.S. representative for any such talks.

US officials in Iraq accused Iran again on Friday of meddling in Iraq's internal affairs, saying the Islamic Republic was carrying out "unhelpful activities" there.

Hadley said that by expressing a willingness to open a dialogue with Washington, Iran appeared to be "trying to drive a wedge between the United States" and its allies at a time when the international community is trying to stay united and force Iran to give up its nuclear program.

Washington and its allies will not let this happen, he said.

Hadley's comments appeared to be an effort to tamp down any expectation the United States and Iran were on the brink of a breakthrough in icy relations.

"We don't see this as a great initiative on Iran," said a senior Bush administration official. "We think it is a stunt that they are doing to try and deflect the pressure in New York, to try and disrupt the international community, to try to suggest that somehow there is an opening to the United States."

The official said any talks with Iran about Iraq would not be "a new channel that circumvents the international community" nor a new initiative.

President George W. Bush, in a new national security strategy on Thursday, said Iran may be the single greatest challenge to the United States.

Washington believes Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, despite Tehran's insistence that it only wants civilian nuclear power, and charges Iran with supporting terrorism, threatening Israel and repressing the Iranian people.