‘US and Iran Break Ice Over Iraq’

This is what Jim Muir of the BBC reports from Baghdad
“The one-day conference of Iraq’s neighbours, attended by other interested parties including the Americans and British, seems to have passed off as well as anybody expected.

“It was the first formal encounter between the Americans and Iranians – who have no diplomatic relations – for more than two years. US relations with Syria are almost as bad.

“Both countries are accused by Washington of fostering terrorism and enabling arms, fighters and money to cross their borders into Iraq – charges they deny.

“This ice-breaking encounter seems to have gone down well all round.

“The US ambassador in Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, who led the US team, spoke later about the positive and businesslike atmosphere.

“Despite controversy over contacts with the US, Iranian and Syrian newspapers on Sunday generally welcomed the outcome of the meeting.” Read on…