Iran is so keen on seeing U.S. troops depart Iraq that its foreign minister said Saturday that Tehran was willing to help Washington leave. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said U.S. troops were responsible for at least half the violence tearing apart Iraq and that their departure would pay security dividends for the entire region. «If the United States changes its attitude, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to help with the withdrawal from Iraq,» Mottaki told the International Institute of Strategic Studies conference here. «Fifty percent of the problem of insecurity in Iraq is the presence of foreign troops. If the United States decides to solve this, everyone will take part to help this important decision. This is the only way the political situation can improve.» Pressed on what type of assistance Iran could provide, Mottaki was evasive. «When they have decided to withdraw from Iraq, then we will explain,» Mottaki told reporters after his speech, the Associated Press reported. «We are in a position to help by all means for the stability of Iraq.»
