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Iran and Nato end 30-year impasse Iran and Nato end 30-year impasse
(about 2 hours later)
An Iranian diplomat has held informal talks with Nato officials for for the first time in 30 years.An Iranian diplomat has held informal talks with Nato officials for for the first time in 30 years.
Senior Nato negotiator Martin Erdmann said he had met Iran's ambassador to the European Union, Ali-Asghar Khaji, more than two weeks ago.Senior Nato negotiator Martin Erdmann said he had met Iran's ambassador to the European Union, Ali-Asghar Khaji, more than two weeks ago.
"This is another good step in engaging Iran in the international community," said Mr Erdmann. "I am sure there will be follow-up meetings." "This is another good step in engaging Iran in the international community," said Mr Erdmann.
Iran has also confirmed it will attend a US-backed conference on Afghanistan. A Nato spokesman, James Appathurai, said the talks with Mr Khaji had concentrated on Afghanistan.
While Iran and Nato states are at odds over Tehran's nuclear plans, they share an interest in a stable Afghanistan. Iranian diplomats have confirmed their attendance at a US-backed talks on Afghanistan taking place at The Hague next week.
Washington has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. 'New step'
Major conference UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, as well as delegates from more than 80 countries, are due to attend the conference.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, as well as delegates from more than 80 countries, are due to attend next Tuesday's conference on Afghanistan in The Hague. "The fact that Iran has decided to go," said Mr Appathurai, "is good news and constitutes a new step."
During her visit to Europe earlier this month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed the summit and said Iran should take part. In Washington, a spokesman at the State Department, Gordon Duguid, also welcomed the Iranian decision to go to The Hague talks.
Confirmation of Iran's attendance is likely to be welcomed by Washington. "The Iranians will be around the table," said Mr Duguid. "We will hear their points of view and they will hear our points of view about Afghanistan."
President Barack Obama has said the US would be ready to talk to Iran if it "unclenched its fist". Some news reports have suggested that Nato countries with forces in Afghanistan might have an interest in using Iran as a supply route.
Correspondents also point out that the opening of a dialogue between Nato and Iran comes as President Barack Obama has set new priorities for the United States in Afghanistan and weeks after he signalled a willingness to revitalise American relations with Tehran.