US certain to hold talks with Iran on Iraq - Rice

WASHINGTON, Mar 24 (Reuters) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today that she was quite certain that the United States will hold talks with Iran about Iraq.

''Those meetings will take place at an appropriate time,'' Rice told reporters. Washington has charged Tehran, its longtime foe, with meddling in the sectarian strife in Iraq, a charge Iran denies. Iran said earlier this month it was open to talks on the issue.

Reuters DH VP0212