In a cautious first step toward unlocking 30 years of tense relations , senior U.S. diplpmat Richard Holbrooke had a brief but cordial meeting with Iran's deputy foreigh minister Tuesday at an international summit on Afghanistan .
The diplomatic approachwas the first official face to face interplay meeting between Obama administration and Iranian regime . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said talks between Holbrooke and Iranian diplomat Mehdi Akhundzadeh were promising but not not " substantive ".
The meeting between the two came on the sidelines of a session aimed at improving Afghanistan . Akkhundzedeh was critical of Obama's plan to add U.S. troops , saying the money they cost would be better spent on buliding Afghanistan 's own forces .
But the Iranian offical added that his country is " prepared to participate in the plans in line with deeloping and reconstructing Afghanistan ".
Afghanistan and Iran share nearly 600 miles of border, Clinton said the U.S. and Afghanistan share concern over the flow of drugs into Iran .
The meeting " is a promising sign that there will be future cooperations " Clinton said .
Associated press
