The offer appears to reflect the desire of at least some top Iranian officials to relieve Western pressure over Tehran's nuclear program in return for help on Iraq, which is sliding ominously toward civil war.

The Bush administration said it would talk with Iran - but only about Iraq, not nuclear issues.

The White House said Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, is already authorized to talk with Iran about Iraq.

Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told reporters any talks between the United States and Iran would be limited to Iraqi issues. Larijani, who is also Iran's top nuclear negotiator, said Khalilzad had repeatedly invited Iran for talks on Iraq.

- The Associated Press