Iraq says Iran serious about resolving issues with West

Iraq's foreign minister has said the Hassan Rouhani-led new Iranian government offers 'the best chance' to improve relations with the United States and should be taken seriously.

Hoshyar Zebari said that he is working behind the scenes to help improve Tehran's relations with the United States.

According to Fox News, Zebari said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked Iraq at their meeting on Saturday to press the opposition to come with one delegation and one position.

The U.N. chief also told him he heard no opposition to Iran, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, participating in the upcoming Geneva peace conference.

Zebari said Iraq had numerous discussions with the Americans and the Iranians after Rouhani's June election.

According to the report, Zebari said another important indication that Rouhani was seriousness about improving relations with the West was that he appointed Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as lead nuclear negotiator.

The move from Rouhani meant that he took away the key role out of the hands of security agencies with the apparent blessing of ruling clerics.

Iran's eagerness to resume 34 years of stalled negotiations over its disputed nuclear program is another sign of a real shift, Zebari said.

The report said that Tehran has insisted its nuclear activities are purely peaceful, but the U.S. and its allies believe it is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

The U.N., the U.S. and Europe have imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Iran for its refusal to curb suspect nuclear activities and Iran's economy has been devastated by the measures.

If the U.S.-Iran relationship develops, Zebari said there should be direct talks, the report added.