Iran's preconditions for talks with Washingtonnote

Tehran shunned direct talks with Washington on Iraq, but mediators continue their efforts to arrange a first round of US-Iranian talks following the parliamentary elections in Iraq next week. Iranian Foreign Minister Manushahr Muttaqi said last week any meeting with US Ambassador to Baghdad Zalmay Khalilzad is not on his agenda. An Iranian Foreign Ministry source explains the limits Washington imposes on Iran's role in the Persian Gulf make Tehran reticent about beginning any public talks with Washington.