US not to cooperate with Iran in anti-ISIL combat

WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- The White House affirmed Monday that the US will not conduct any military operations in coordination with Iran or share intelligence in the combat against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Iranian officials told Reuters news agency that their country is willing to partner with the US-led coalition to fight ISIL but, in return, wants more flexibility when it comes to its nuclear program.
"The United States will not coordinate any of our military activities with the Iranians," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters. "The United States will not be involved in sharing intelligence with the Iranians. And the United States will not be in a position of trading aspects of Iran's nuclear program to secure commitments to take on ISIL," Earnest said. "These two issues are entirely separate, and the focus of the (UN Security Council's five members and Germany) P5+1 talks will remain on resolving the international community's concerns about the Iranian nuclear program," he made clear.
However, it is possible "that conversations on the sidelines of those talks could occur about Iran's concerns -- or Iran's overlapping interest with the international community as it relates to ISIL," he went on.
"The United States continues to be actively engaged with our P5+1 partners in conversations with Iran to address the broader international community's concerns about their nuclear program. "As a result of the interim agreement that's been put in place so far, Iran has rolled back key aspects of their nuclear program to allow for these conversations to continue," Earnest added. (end) ys.gb