Iran signals backing for Iraqi PM in crackdown

By Fredrik Dahl

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran voiced support on Monday for Iraq's prime minister in a crackdown on a Shi'ite militia but blamed U.S. forces for civilian deaths in the fighting.

The Islamic Republic also said the United States, its old foe, had requested a new round of talks on improving security in Iraq and Tehran was considering it.

Easing a diplomatic freeze lasting almost three decades, Iranian and U.S. officials met three times in Baghdad last year, but a planned fourth meeting has been repeatedly postponed.

"We have received a new request by American officials ... for the holding of negotiations on the Iraqi developments and we are looking into the case," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told a news conference.

In Baghdad, U.S. embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said:

"We understand the Iraqi government is trying to schedule another round of talks, and we are ready to participate."

Shi'ite Iran's influence in Iraq has grown since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 toppled Sunni Arab strongman Saddam Hussein and ushered in a Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad.

The United States accuses Tehran of stoking violence in Iraq by funding, training and equipping Iraqi militants. Iran denies this and blames the presence of U.S. troops for the bloodshed.