Tehran's ambassador to Iraq will lead the Iranian delegation in talks with US officials in Iraq today to discuss stability in the country.
It is a rare face-to-face meeting between the enemies who broke ties shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran that toppled the US-backed Shah.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad said the talks, being held at the request of Iraqi leaders, would focus on Iraq's situation and other issues such as Iran's disputed nuclear programme would not be on the agenda.
The United States accuses Iran of fomenting violence in Iraq by backing Shia militia in the neighbouring country and of providing weapons and the technology for new versions of roadside bombs used to kill US troops.
Tehran denies the charges and accuses Washington of igniting tension between Iraq's Shia and Sunni Muslims.