US accepts talking with Iran over Iraq

Yesterday the odd news broke that Iran proposed direct talks with USI on the Iraq situation. This is remarkable since Iran apparently admits being able to control the instigators in Iraq! It would make little sense to offer negotiating unless you had something to offer, i.e. control of the insurgents. NYT emphasizes the nuclear issue, strictly not included in the US acceptance.

NYT / AP published this March 16, 11:33 PM/ET:

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran offered Thursday to enter into talks with the United States aimed at stabilizing Iraq, the first time the Islamic republic has agreed to negotiate with the superpower it calls the ''Great Satan.''

The offer appears to reflect the desire of at least some top Iranian officials to relieve Western pressure over Tehran's nuclear program in return for help on Iraq, which is sliding ominously toward civil war.

The Bush administration said it would talk with Iran -- but only about Iraq, not nuclear issues.
The White House said the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, is already authorized to talk with Iran about Iraq."

Continue in NYT, click headline