Baghdad, May 28, IRNA - The Islamic Republic of Iran and the US held their first round of official talks on Iraq behind the closed doors. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Iraqi Supreme National Security advisor Mowafaq al-Rabi'i attended the meeting.

Talking to reporters, al-Maliki said Iraq not only hosts the meeting but also plays a determining role in its success.

The US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazemi Qomi met on Monday at the home of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the first official and direct talks in the past 27 years.

The Iranian delegation includes director of Mideast Department of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Reza Amiri Moqaddam, head of Foreign Ministry special headquarters for Iraq Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and head of the delegation Kazemi Qomi.

The Iranian delegation arrived in Baghdad Sunday afternoon.

Experts consider the talks among major political developments in Iraq.

They believe that Iran-US talks on Iraq would be a great step toward reducing tension in the country. They appreciate Iran's decision to accept the talks in support for the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Representatives of the participating delegations are expected to attend a press conference at the end of the talks to brief reporters on the topics discussed and decisions made in the meeting.

... Payvand News - 5/28/07 ...