Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad termed strengthening of Iraq’s legal bodies as the only way to safeguard security and integrity of that country, stressing that a secure, independent and powerful Iraq would be the best friend for his country and would serve the interests of regional nations as well.

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator said Thursday that talks with a senior EU official had brought them closer to “a united view” of how to break a deadlock over Tehran’s nuclear issue.

Oil eased, but stayed above $68 a barrel on Thursday, after Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said differences with the European Union over its nuclear program were gradually narrowing.