Iran demands timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Mar. 17 – Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki demanded on Friday that a timeline be announced for the withdrawal of United States-led troops from Iraq as he confirmed that the Islamic Republic would be willing to directly meet and hold talks with U.S. officials over the issue of Iraq. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Mar. 17 – Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki demanded on Friday that a timeline be announced for the withdrawal of United States-led troops from Iraq as he confirmed that the Islamic Republic would be willing to directly meet and hold talks with U.S. officials over the issue of Iraq.

“A timetable for the exit of foreign forces [from Iraq”> must be set up”, Mottaki told the Friday prayers congregation in Tehran.

Mottaki added that the Islamic Republic had supported the efforts to prepare the stage for the withdrawal of “occupying forces” from Iraq.

“The continuation of terrorist attacks in Iraq is one challenge and the continuing occupation is another aspect of these [challenges”>”, he said.

The foreign minister also warned the West that Tehran would not be willing to overlook its “right” to nuclear development.

He described the reporting of Tehran’s nuclear file to the United Nations Security Council as a “political” move.

The Iranian foreign minister said the Security Council must not “be turned into a place for creating insecurity, where the unilateralists bring about disorder against the Islamic Republic of Iran”.