'Iraq talks dependent on change in US policy'

Iran foreign minister expresses willingness to renew talks with the US on stabilising Iraq if Washington changes its policies.

Iran will only hold fresh talks with the United States on stabilising Iraq if Washington changes its policies there, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Friday.

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"We are examining the results of those discussions and if there is a real willingness on the part of the US administration to change its policy towards Iraq, we will continue them," Mottaki said on a visit to Damascus.

"The lack of security in Iraq and the continuation of the occupation are the root causes of the crisis," Mottaki said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the countries that could help resolve the crisis."

Iranian and US delegations met in Baghdad on Monday for their highest-level official one-on-one talks since the two governments broke off relations shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Iran foreign minister says that Iran will only hold fresh talks with the US on stabilising Iraq if Washington changes its policies.