Iran says Iraqi's overthrow a condition in settling war

May 28, 1982

Iran pledged to maintain friendly relations with conservative Persian Gulf states but warned them against supporting US policy in the region.

An Iranian government spokesman said that Iran did not consider the war over after the recapture of the port city of Khorramshahr from Iraqi forces and that Tehran would not enter peace talks unless its demands for ending the war were met.

The spokesman said it is Iran'smain objective to overthrow Saddam Hussein's government aim before any agreement on ending the conflict could be reached.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he did not think Iranian troops would cross the Iraqi border, because Iran realized such action would upset international, regional, and Arab interests.