Talks between Iran and the United States about the security of Iraq have been suspended, the AP has reported, after the Iran said the would not negotiate with the US until attacks against Shia militia’s in Iraq by US forces ceased. The United States has been fighting militants tied to radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr whose relationship with Iran seems to be growing more and more intimate. The US has accused Iran of arming Shia mlitants in Iraq, but Iran has denied the charge. The one thing that’s certain, though, is that talks won’t continue if one side or other refuses to come to the table.
Last month, a cease-fire between Iraqi troops and Sadr’s militants was negotiated through an Iranian general. Today, Iran says that it will not talk to the US until attacks against the “Iraqi People” (specifically the Shia ones) cease. It seems clear that Iran
has not just one but both its hands deep into Iraq’s cookie jar.
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