The Bush administration has announced it will take part in talks with Iran and Syria at two international meetings on Iraq. This would mark the highest-level contact with Iranian officials in more than two years. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice confirmed the plans during testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: “This initial meeting will be followed perhaps as early as the first half of April by a ministerial meeting. I would note that the Iraqi government has invited Syria and Iran to attend both of these regional meetings. We hope these governments seize this opportunity to improve their relations with Iraq, and to work for peace and stability in the region.”

The announcement comes just weeks after the Pentagon accused Iran of supplying bombs targeting U.S. troops in Iraq.