WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran that the United States won't "stand idly by" if Tehran tries to disrupt Washington's renewed effort to stabilize Iraq.
Speaking hours after US troops raided Iran's consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil and arrested five employees, Rice said Washington was determined to crack down on Iran's "regional aggression".
Rice declined to comment specifically on the operation in Arbil, which came shortly after President George W. Bush announced a new US strategy to end the violence in Iraq that included stepped up moves to counter Iranian and Syrian involvement in the country.
She also declined in three television interviews Thursday morning to rule out US military action against Iran, which she and Bush accused of supporting anti-US insurgents and "terrorists" in Iraq and of trying to develop nuclear weapons.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070111/pl_afp/iraqusiranunrestrice_070111142703Rice offers to meet Iran if it gives up enrichmentWASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday she was ready to meet "any time, anywhere" with Iran's leadership if it suspended its enrichment of uranium.
"I repeat an offer that I have made several times, today. If Iran suspends its uranium enrichment, which is an international demand and not just an American one, then the United States is prepared to reverse 27 years of policy and I will met with my Iranian counterpart any time, anywhere," Rice told a news conference.
If such a meeting took place, Rice said both sides could discuss "every facet" of our relationship, which is strained over Iran's nuclear program. The United States says the program is aimed at building weapons, while Tehran says it is for peaceful, civilian power purposes.
Rice said until Tehran gave up its uranium enrichment program, the international community should continue to hold it accountable. Last month, the United Nations imposed financial sanctions against Iran.
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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N11403869.htm