Iraq Minister: New U.S.-Iran Talks Set

Iraq Minister: New U.S.-Iran Talks Set

BAGHDAD (AP) - A new round of U.S.-Iran talks focusing on the deteriorating security situation in Iraq will be held Tuesday in Baghdad, the Iraqi foreign minister said.

"I can confirm that the United States and Iran have agreed to meet on July 24th in Baghdad," Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

The Bush administration had said Tuesday that it was ready to hold a second round of direct talks with Iran, and Iran said it had accepted a U.S. invitation for talks.

Zebari's comment was the first official confirmation of a date.