U.S., Iran Secretly Talking in Geneva

A senior U.S. official who wanted to remain nameless told the AP: “ the meetings in Geneva were technically under the auspices of the United Nations and focused on a wide range of issues, including postwar Iraq. The Bush administration opposes any effort by Iran to influence any new Baghdad government.”

Iranian officials also claimed the talks are being held regarding a wide array of issues, including Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which are now Iran’s U.S.-controlled neighbors.

Zalmay Khalilzad, President Bush's special envoy to Iraq and Afghanistan, is representing the U.S. at the meetings. A United Nations official opens the talks but does not always stay, U.S. officials say. There have been three meetings this year, the most recent on May 3.

USA Today reports that Diplomats have not divulged what results the talks have produced. However, U.S. forces in Iraq have begun disarming the Mujahedin e-Khalq, an Iraq-based organization that violently opposes the Islamic government in Tehran.

Considering that Iran is still a member of the 'Axis of Evil' - which currently has only two members: Iran and North Korea - no one is officially stating that the two nations are ready for diplomatic relations.

Secretary of State Colin Powell echoed the public sentiments of both countries, saying, "The issue of diplomatic relations is not on the table right now for either side," Powell said. "But in terms of communicating with the Iranians, we have such ways, and we use them on a regular basis."

However, one anonymous Iranian official revealed: "We are ready to discuss re-establishing relations on the basis of mutual respect … The debate is taking place both in Iran and the United States."

Opinion polls in Iran have shown that as many as 70% of the Iranian people want their government to reinstate of official relations with the U.S.