So long as the US refuses to seriously engage with Iran, the long-term security of the region will be in doubt.
Iraq's National Security Advisor, Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, made the remark Sunday on the final day of a regional security summit in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
His comment is seen as a sharp response to the US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who called on the Persian Gulf littoral states Saturday "to work together to take the necessary measures to bring a long-term change of policies in Tehran".
Iraqi national security advisor says the US needs to interact directly with Iran in order to ensure security across the Middle East.
So long as the US refuses to seriously engage with Iran, the long-term security of the region will be in doubt.
Iraq's National Security Advisor, Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, made the remark Sunday on the final day of a regional security summit in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
His comment is seen as a sharp response to the US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who called on the Persian Gulf littoral states Saturday "to work together to take the necessary measures to bring a long-term change of policies in Tehran".
"It is feasible for the government of Iraq to have on one side the strategic ally, the United States of America, and on the other side, we have a good relationship with Iran," said al-Rubaie.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi also told reporters at the conference, "I do believe Iran is a major power in the Middle East and holds the key to stability and peace for the whole region."
The US has repeatedly accused Iran of developing a secret nuclear program and supplying weapons to insurgents in Iraq, charges that Tehran has categorically denied.
