BAGHDAD (AFP) — A US general on Wednesday acknowledged Iran's role in helping quell the bloodshed in Iraq, saying Tehran had contributed to stopping the flow of arms across the border into the country.
Lieutenant General James Dubik, who is in charge of training Iraqi security forces, said Tehran was keeping to its pledge of stopping the smuggling of weapons to Iraqi extremists.
"We are all thankfull for the commitment Iran has made to reduce the flow in weapons, explosives and training (of extremists) in Iraq," Dubik told reporters in Baghdad's Green Zone.
"As a result of that, it has made some contribution to the reduction of violence" in Iraq, he said.
US commanders claim violence in Iraq has dropped by 55 percent since the military's surge became fully operational in June.
Dubik said it was still early to assess the exact contribution of Iran but "we hope that the commitment stays in effect."
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates earlier this month said Tehran had assured Baghdad it would help stop the inflow of Iranian weapons into Iraq.
The US military has charged that Iranian-made bombs were being smuggled into Iraq to Shiite extremists and used to kill coalition forces.
Another US commander, Major General Kevin Bergner, expressed optimism that the decision to hold fresh talks between Tehran, Washington and Baghdad over the turmoil in Iraq would further help boost this commitment of Iran.
"It is important here that the commitments that have been made start to see progress that is strategically measurable and sustains over time," he told reporters in the conference with Dubik.
On Tuesday, Tehran announced it was ready for talks with Washington over the Iraq's security and stability.
The talks would be held in Baghdad but the final date is yet to be fixed.
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