ISLAMABAD: US-Iran talks about Iraq’s security will begin in Iraq on May 28, Iran’s foreign minister said on Thursday, and kept up Tehran’s call for foreign troops to leave. Manouchehr Mottaki said the negotiations would be exclusively about Iraq and that the first meeting, in the presence of Iraqi officials, would try to set a more detailed agenda.

“Nothing but Iraq is in the agenda of the talks between Tehran and the United States,” Mr Mottaki told reporters in Islamabad, where he has been attending a meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

In Baghdad, US Ambassador Ryan Crocker appeared unaware of Mr Mottaki’s announcement, saying only that he hoped the talks would take place by the end of the month. “I’m ready to sit down anytime they like,” said Mr Crocker, who is to lead the US delegation. Mr Crocker said the US will be pushing Iran to be a helpful neighbour, singling out allegations that Tehran is providing militants in Iraq with powerful roadside bombs that have been used to deadly effect against American troops.

He declined to be more specific about items that might be on the agenda, but said the talks would be an opportunity for Iran to move into a “whole new era in its relationship with Iraq.”

Mr Mottaki also gave no details of what Iran wanted to discuss. But he reiterated Tehran’s objection to the continued presence of US soldiers in its western neighbour.—AP