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Iraq, Iran,
Afghanistan
Iraq Iraq has among the largest oil reserves in the world, with an estimated 115 billion barrels -- tying Iran for the No. 2 status behind Saudi Arabia's 264 billion barrels, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration. Iran
He made the comment Sunday in response to a question after a cabinet meeting. He said he welcomes the idea of expansion of ties between the peoples of Iran and the United States. The Iranian president said he has not received any official request for a U.S. diplomatic office. American media reported in June that U.S. officials are debating whether the United States should open an interests section in Tehran. Diplomatic relations have been cut since 1980, following the November, 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by Iranian radicals. The two countries remain at odds over the Iranian nuclear program and other issues. Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East if Iranian nuclear facilities are attacked. U.S. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice has repeatedly offered to start a political dialogue with Iran if Tehran heeds U.N. Security Council calls to suspend its uranium enrichment effort, which U.S. officials believe is weapons-related. Iran operates an interests section in Washington, technically part of the embassy of Pakistan. U.S. interests in Iran are handled by the Swiss embassy. Afghanistan
Afghanistan supplies virtually all of the world's illegal opium - and it's a $4 billion business. Getting Afghanistan to rid itself of poppy is a pillar of U.S. policy there, because Taliban insurgents use profits from opium as a source of revenue. For Afghans themselves, however, feelings about poppy are conflicted: it's harmful to their country and to their people, but it is also a livelihood for many where instability offers few alternatives. VOA's Afghan service examines the issue. Read more
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