Iran said today the United States was failing in Afghanistan and should recognise a new approach is needed, four days after Washington said it would invite Tehran to a conference to discuss its neighbour.
Foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki did not say whether Iran would accept the US invitation to this month's planned meeting on Afghanistan, a swift overture towards Tehran by the new administration of US president Barack Obama.
Iran's government spokesman said on Saturday the Islamic Republic would consider such a request and that it was ready to help Afghanistan as it battles a growing Taliban insurgency.
An Iranian analyst said he believed Iran would attend as it "wants to be recognised as a key player in Afghanistan".
Iran and the United States have not had diplomatic ties for three decades and are now embroiled in a dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme, which the West suspects is aimed at making bombs. Iran says it is for peaceful power purposes.
But the two foes share an interest in ensuring a stable Afghanistan, analysts say.
Mr Mottaki said the United States came to Afghanistan aiming to root out extremism, restore security and fight the drugs trade.
"All indicators in regard to these three areas show that the conditions have deteriorated sharply," he told state television.
Mr Mottaki said this indicated US policies in Afghanistan were "incorrect". US officials should "suggest that they want to apply a new orientation", he added.
The commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, told the BBC today that despite successes in some areas of Afghanistan Nato was not winning in parts of the south.
"There are other areas - large areas in the southern part of Afghanistan especially, but in parts of the east - where we are not winning," he said in an interview.
Iran has often called for US forces to leave the region, saying they are making the situation worse.
Mr Obama, in a major shift in US policy, has said the United States wants to engage Iran. The Afghanistan invitation would be the start of a diplomatic approach to the Islamic state.
Reuters