Tehran, 2007/01/21, IRNA  

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Sunday revealed US plan to make wide scale arrests at different levels and in various regions of Iraq in the future.

Hosseini made the remarks while speaking to reporters as he pointed to the US President George Bush's new strategy on Iraq and the US attack on Iran's consulate general in the Iraqi city of Erbil on January 11.

"The new approach will escalate tension in Iraq and the region," said the spokesman.

"Iran's principled policy supports security and stability in Iraq.

"Iran regards Iraq's security as part of its own," he added.

"Iran will never consider Iraq as a place for settling accounts.

"Although the US strives to cause tension in the region, Iran will fight with the plot," Hosseini added.

Iran would consider Washington's official request for negotiations on regional issues, Hosseini made the remark while speaking to domestic and foreign reporters.

Asked about Iran's nuclear case, he said "No change has occurred in Iran's nuclear stance. The issue of suspension of enrichment is not acceptable because it has no legal and rational basis."

On recent remarks by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei who has acknowledged Iran is not engaged in any undeclared nuclear activities, the spokesman expressed hope that relevant officials in European and non-European states would opt for negotiations.

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