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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iran and Nato end 30-year impasse | Iran and Nato end 30-year impasse |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An Iranian diplomat has held informal talks with Nato officials 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. | "This is another good step in engaging Iran in the international community," said Mr Erdmann. |
| A Nato spokesman, James Appathurai, said the talks with Mr Khaji had concentrated on Afghanistan. | A Nato spokesman, James Appathurai, said the talks with Mr Khaji had concentrated on Afghanistan. |
| Iranian diplomats have confirmed their attendance at a US-backed talks on Afghanistan taking place at The Hague next week. | Iranian diplomats have confirmed their attendance at a US-backed talks on Afghanistan taking place at The Hague next week. |
| 'New step' | 'New step' |
| 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 the conference. |
| "The fact that Iran has decided to go," said Mr Appathurai, "is good news and constitutes a new step." | "The fact that Iran has decided to go," said Mr Appathurai, "is good news and constitutes a new step." |
| In Washington, a spokesman at the State Department, Gordon Duguid, also welcomed the Iranian decision to go to The Hague talks. | In Washington, a spokesman at the State Department, Gordon Duguid, also welcomed the Iranian decision to go to The Hague talks. |
| "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." | "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." |
| Some news reports have suggested that Nato countries with forces in Afghanistan might have an interest in using Iran as a supply route. | 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. | 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. |