U.S. and Iranian officials met several times in the Iraqi capital last year to discuss efforts to reduce the country's sectarian violence. The Baghdad meetings have been one of the few forums in which Washington and Tehran have had direct contact.

Zebari also says he expects Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit Iraq next month, in what would be the first such trip by an Iranian leader in years. Iran has not yet confirmed a date for the visit. Zebari was speaking Tuesday on a visit to Moscow.

Source: By VOA News