Iran says it will hold talks with the United States next week on security in Iraq.
Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini Sunday as saying Tehran agreed to the talks in order to lessen the pain of the Iraqi people, support the Iraqi government and establish security and peace in Iraq.
The report said Iran received a request for the talks through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which often acts as an intermediary for the U.S. in the country.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who is in the region, said the United States is willing to discuss Iraq with Iranian officials.
U.S. officials have said they want to see Iran and Syria increase control over their borders, and stop supporting militias and insurgents in Iraq.
The Iranian spokesman said the time and date of the talks would be made public this week.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
