US and Iran to have direct and formal negotiations

This is genuinely good news. Iran and the US have agreed to have negotiations about Iraq. From Iranian Leader Reaffirms Offer of Talks by Alissa Rubin Los Angeles Times 03/22/06:

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the ultimate say in Tehran on all state matters, said Iran was prepared to discuss ways to stabilize Iraq with an American delegation.

"If the Iranian officials can make the U.S. understand some issues about Iraq, there is no problem with the negotiations," Khamenei said in a speech broadcast on state television.

But he went on to warn the United States that Iran should be treated with the respect appropriate to one of the most powerful countries in the region. "If the talks mean opening a venue for bullying and imposition by the deceitful party [the Americans], then it will be forbidden," Khamenei said.

His comments came as President Bush warned that "if the Iranians were to have a nuclear weapon, they could blackmail the world" because "they're not welcoming the international inspections."

The US hopes to get active cooperation from Iran in stabilizing Iraq. Iraq hopes that these negotiations will also help lead to a diplomatic solution of the standoff over Iran's nuclear program. Gareth Porter gives a good explanation of the diplomatic considerations in Iran, Iraq Crises Converge Despite U.S. Hardliners Inter Press Service 03/21/06.

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