Iran shrugs off Bush remarks on Iraq ties with Tehran

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TEHRAN, Aug 11 (AFP): Iran on Saturday shrugged off US President George W. Bush warning Iraq about against cozying up to Iran, blaming Washington for the insecurity in the war torn Iraq.
"The insecurity in Iraq is the result of the wrong policy and incorrect decisions by the US," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said in a statement obtained by the news agency.
"Iran's support of the formation of the Iraqi government, (its) comprehensive support of the popularly elected government of Mr Nuri al-Maliki and Iraqi officials' emphasis of Iran's constructive role are evidence of the Islamic Republic of Iran's policies towards Iraq."
He added that Iran's having held three rounds of talk with the United States over Iraq is another sign Tehran's seeking improvement of security in Iraq.
The meetings in Baghdad have been marked by disagreements over who is to blame for the bloodshed.
Bush Thursday, sternly warned Maliki against cozying up to Iran, adding that he was not surprised at pictures showing cordial meetings between Maliki and top Iranian leaders in Tehran but that he hoped the prime minister was delivering a tough message.Washington accuses Shiite-majority Iran of fomenting sectarian violence in Iraq and providing militants with sophisticated roadside bombs. Tehran denies the allegation, and blames the US-led occupation for the insecurity in its western neighbour.
Iran's leaders Thursday told visiting Maliki that American troops must leave his country if security is to be restored in Iraq, in talks that sparked unease in the United States.
Washington is also leading international efforts to stop Iran's controversial nuclear programme. The United States and other countries say it is aimed at producing nuclear weapons, a claim denied by Iran.