Iran has hinted it would not object to a tougher United Nations resolution on Iraqi weapons inspections.
"Right now, the resolution is on the Security Council's agenda. If it gets approved, Iran would consider it as a fact," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mr Hamid Reza Asefi said today.
Iran, branded as part of an "axis of evil" by Washington, is opposed to a US military attack on Iraq but has also urged its neighbour and former foe to comply with any resolution that comes out of the United Nations to avert a possible war.
"We have been harmed by Iraq and also we can't forget America's enmity, so we are in a special position. But beside all of that, we are against a unilateral military attack on Iraq," Mr Asefi said.
British foreign secretary Mr Jack Straw is due in Tehran on Wednesday as part of a four-nation Middle East tour to gather support for a possible military attack on Iraq.
Speculation is high in Iran that Mr Straw is carrying a message from Washington.