The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tehran

Iran and the United States are to launch a new round of talks on the future of war-ravaged Iraq next week in Baghdad, an Iranian official told student news agency ISNA on Saturday.

"These discussions will take place by the end of next week," said the official who requested anonymity.

"The structure of these discussions has been finalised but the level of participation has not yet been agreed," he said.

Iran wants the meeting to be held between ambassadors but the US prefers it to be a meeting of experts, the official added.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said new talks between the two countries would be held after February 11, the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.