High-level Iraqi delegation to head for Tehran

BAGHDAD, Sep 4 (Reuters) Senior Iraqi ministers will go to Iran on Tuesday, officials said, possibly paving the way for a first official visit of prime minister Nuri al-Maliki to Iraq's powerful Shi'ite neighbour.

Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, who oversees Iraq's economy, will travel with the finance and trade ministers, government aides said.

But the Iraqi government spokesman denied a report on Iranian state television that suggested Maliki might travel next week to visit his fellow Shi'ite Islamist leaders.

''There is no arrangement right now for any visit by the Prime Minister to ... Iran,'' spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said, adding: ''The government of Iraq would like to maintain the best relations with all neighbouring countries.'' An Iranian government spokesman said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has angered Washington with his defiant defence of Iran's nuclear programme and a series of anti-Israel comments, would visit Iraq ''very soon''.

Iraq and Shi'ite Iran fought a bloody war in the 1980s when Saddam Hussein's secular Sunni Muslim administration was in power in Baghdad. But the two countries have enjoyed improving political and economic relations since the U.S. invasion gave Iraq's long-oppressed Shi'ite majority the upper hand.

U.S. officials and Sunni Arabs who dominate other Arab states view Iran's role in Iraq with suspicion, accusing it of aiding Shi'ite armed groups. Tehran denies the accusations.

Maliki's fellow Shi'ite predecessor caused discomfort among Iraq's restive Sunni minority by conspicuously making Tehran his first port of call after becoming prime minister.

Maliki, in charge of a unity coalition since May trying to stave off sectarian civil war, just as conspicuously made his first foreign trip to Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.

A common interest in Iraq did bring the U S and Iran, who have no diplomat ties, into discussion this year about direct talks but these have yet to take place.

REUTERS SSC PC1923