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US and Iran in key Baghdad talks US and Iran in key Baghdad talks
(about 3 hours later)
Iran and the United States have begun their first bilateral public talks for almost 30 years. Iraq's security is the only item on the agenda. Iran and the US are holding their first bilateral public talks for almost 30 years. Iraq's security is the only item on the agenda.
The US and Iranian envoys in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker and Hassan Kazemi Qomi are meeting in the home of PM Nouri Maliki. The US and Iranian envoys in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker and Hassan Kazemi Qomi, are being hosted by PM Nouri Maliki.
The US is expected to present claims that Iran is providing technology and other support to Iraqi militia groups.The US is expected to present claims that Iran is providing technology and other support to Iraqi militia groups.
For its part, Tehran says it has uncovered several spy networks run by the US and its allies inside Iran. For its part, Tehran will remind the US that as occupiers of Iraq they have a legal responsibility to bring security.
On Sunday, the Iranian authorities summoned the Swiss ambassador to demand an explanation of the networks, which Iranian TV said were seeking to commit "infiltration and sabotage in western, central and south-western areas of the country". The talks come a day after Tehran said it had uncovered several spy networks run by the US and its allies inside Iran.
Iranian authorities have summoned the Swiss ambassador to demand an explanation of the networks, which Iranian TV said were seeking to commit "infiltration and sabotage".
Switzerland represents US interests in Iran.Switzerland represents US interests in Iran.
The White House said it did not confirm or deny allegations about intelligence matters.The White House said it did not confirm or deny allegations about intelligence matters.
"We urge Iran to play a positive role in Iraq... and stop blaming everyone else for problems they are only bringing on themselves," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
No pre-conditionsNo pre-conditions
Monday's Iranian-US meeting is the first formal bilateral meeting since the two countries broke off relations in 1979, following the fall of the Shah. The Iranian-US meeting is the first formal bilateral meeting since the two countries broke off relations in 1980, after the Iranian revolution and the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran.
Ryan Crocker will attend the meeting for the US side Crocker and Qomi are representing their countries in BaghdadThe US has backed away from the conditions it first set for such a meeting, says the BBC's Paul Reynolds - which included support from Tehran for the government in Baghdad.
The US has backed away from the conditions it first set for such a meeting, says the BBC's Paul Reynolds - which included support from Tehran for the government in Baghdad. Ahead of the meeting, the Iraqi prime minister described the event as "the beginning of a good chapter and an important step for the region".
Mr Crocker will now press claims that Iran is supporting Shia and Sunni militias attacking US and British forces in Iraq. Mr Maliki said any progress made would "enhance the bridges of trust" between the US and Iran and "create a positive atmosphere" that would help them deal with other issues.
For its part, Iran will call for a timetable for an American withdrawal from Iraq. In Tehran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told state radio that the fact the US now wanted to talk to Iran about Iraq was a sign of progress.
In a BBC interview, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, described the talks as an important first step to dialogue although he said he did not expect miracles. "The Iranian nation has taken another step forward and, God willing, more giant strides are awaiting," he said.
But the BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says that although the talks are symbolically important, there is little chance of any dramatic breakthrough. Mr Crocker will press claims that Iran is supporting Shia and Sunni militias attacking US and British forces in Iraq, by supplying them with bomb-making equipment and training.
'Soured relations'
Iran's position on the talks has been dictated by the country's ultimate authority - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran's position on the talks has been dictated by the country's ultimate authority - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He said the aim of the meeting was to remind the American occupiers of Iraq that they had a legal responsibility to bring security to the country. He said the aim of the meeting was to remind the American occupiers of Iraq that they had a legal responsibility to bring security to the country. Tehran is also expected to call for a timetable for a US withdrawal from Iraq.
Ayatollah Khamenei says the US government is colonial, bullying, arrogant and expansionist.Ayatollah Khamenei says the US government is colonial, bullying, arrogant and expansionist.
But, our Tehran correspondent says, Iran is more isolated than it has been for years - now under UN as well as US sanctions because of its nuclear ambitions. The BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says that although the talks are symbolically important, there is little chance of any dramatic breakthrough.
However, the nuclear issue will not be under discussion at these talks. The talks come at a time of growing tensions between Washington and Tehran over a range of issues, including Iran's continuing defiance of international pressure and sanctions over its nuclear programme.
"Nothing but Iraq is on the agenda," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said 10 days ago, when announcing that this meeting would take place. The nuclear issue will not be under discussion at these talks.
Another source of tension has been the recent arrests in Iran of a number of Iranian Americans. Tehran accuses them of spying and says US intelligence is trying to undermine the Islamic authorities.