WASHINGTON, March 9 (UPI) -- Some U.S. officials have expressed hope that the United States and Iran could forge diplomatic ties over common goals of regional security and resources.
Despite a history of poor relations starting with the end of formal diplomatic ties between the countries at the end of the Iranian hostage crisis in 1980, some officials believe dialogue between the nations is still possible and David Satterfield, the top Iraq adviser to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said U.S. diplomats would not "turn and walk away" if approached "over orange juice" at a regional meeting this weekend in Baghdad, The Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
Satterfield said he would discuss Iran's alleged material support and training for attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq.
"The point is that we think the Iranians can do a lot that will be conducive to peace in the region and good for them and good for their people," White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said. "We're going to continue doing whatever we can to encourage them to do it. And if they want to have bilateral relations, it is up to them."
