“An Iranian official says the government wants the United States to stop its ’savage attacks’ in Iraq before its envoys hold more talks with U.S. and Iraqi officials, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported. ‘Under the current circumstances and given the U.S. widespread attacks against Iraqi people in different cities, Iran does not feel these negotiations are necessary,’ an unnamed official told Fars. The official — described as a senior member of Iran’s negotiating team — delivered the remarks as U.S. and Iraqi troops have been fighting Shiite militants in Baghdad and in Basra. The Bush administration says many of these fighters have backing from Iranian agents.” (05/05/08)