U.S.-Iran security talks postponed, Iraqi FM says

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BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s foreign minister earlier today said security talks between Iran and the United states have been indefinitely postponed due to an “exchange of accusations” between the sides.

Tehran on Monday called off further Iraq security talks with Washington until U.S. forces stop their crackdown on Shiite militias. U.S.-led forces are locked in fierce street battles in Sadr City, a Shiite militia stronghold in Baghdad.

At the same time, Washington has been stepping up its accusations that Iran is backing Shiite extremists in Iraq. Iran denies the claims.

“It is impossible to hold a new round (of talks) because of exchange of accusations between the two sides,” Hoshyar Zebari told a news conference in Baghdad. “The negotiations are postponed indefinitely because of tense atmosphere.”

Iran and the U.S. have held three rounds of ambassador-level talks on security in Iraq since last May. Zebari stressed that “resuming dialogue” between Iraq, Iran and the United States was crucial.

“We had three important rounds but they yielded no fast results,” said Zebari, adding that Iraq’s efforts to hold the next round of talks have failed.

The clashes in Baghdad’s Sadr City district erupted after an Iraqi government crackdown on armed Shiite groups began in late March. The U.S. military is now trying to weaken the militia grip in the teeming slum and disrupt rocket and mortar strikes on the U.S.-protected Green Zone.

But fresh salvos of rockets from militants arced over the city, wounding at least 23 people on Tuesday and drawing U.S. retaliation that escalated civilian panic and flight to safer areas.

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