Iran: U.S. talks off on technicality

TEHRAN, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- "Technical" reasons have forced a delay in talks between Iranian and U.S. officials about Iraq, an Iranian government spokesman said Sunday.

"The postponement of talks between Tehran and Washington was technical and has nothing to do with other issues," Mohammad-Ali Hosseini told journalists in Tehran, Press TV reported.

David Satterfield, a senior adviser to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Iraq, has accused Iran of supporting the insurgency in Iraq. Hosseini said those claims are contrary to reports by U.S. military officials in Iraq.

"(U.S. officials) confirmed that Iran plays no role in unrest in Iraq. No evidence or documents has been found about Iran's role, either," he said.

Hosseini also confirmed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to visit Iraq near the end of March.