Hassan Rouhani says ready to aid Iraq, 'can think' of role with US

 

"We all should practically and verbally confront terrorist groups," Rouhani told a press conference broadcast live on state television. 

 

Asked if Tehran would work with its old adversary the United States in tackling advances by Sunni insurgents in Iraq, he replied: "We can think about if we see America starts confronting the terrorist groups in Iraq or elsewhere." 

 

Shi'ite Muslim Iran, which has strong leverage in Shi'ite-majority Iraq, is so alarmed by the Sunni jihadist advance from Iraq's north that it may be ready to cooperate with longtime arch-enemy Washington in helping Baghdad fight back. A senior Iranian official told Reuters earlier this week that the idea is being discussed within the Tehran leadership. For now, officials say, Iran will send its neighbour advisers and weaponry, although probably not troops, to boost Baghdad. 

 

In the nuclear talks the main stumbling block has been the permissible scope of Iran's uranium enrichment. The lack of progress in bridging gaps has left the parties' deadline for a long-term settlement looking increasingly unrealistic and Iran has said a six-month extension may be necessary.