Iran said on Monday the United States was failing in Afghanistan and that a new approach was needed, four days after Washington said it would invite Tehran to an international conference to discuss its neighbour. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki did not say whether Iran would accept the US invitation to this month's planned meeting on Afghanistan, a swift overture toward Tehran by the new administration of US President Barack Obama.
Iran's government spokesman said on Saturday the Islamic Republic would consider such an invitation and that it was ready to help Afghanistan as it battles a growing Taliban insurgency. Mottaki said the United States came to Afghanistan saying it would root out extremism, restore security and fight drugs. "All indicators in regard to these three areas show that the conditions have deteriorated sharply," he told state television.
Analysts have predicted the Obama team was likely to begin a dialogue with Iran on issues such as Afghanistan, where the United States is trying to turn around a war it risks losing and where it plans to send an additional 17,000 troops.
Afghanistan's foreign minister made clear he wanted Iran to attend the conference, possibly on March 31, which would also bring in neighbours including Pakistan as well as other players. "We warmly welcome any precious role that Iran wants to play to strengthen peace in Afghanistan," Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta told reporters during a visit to Tehran.