Iranian officials have for the first time been allowed to visit five prisoners held by US forces in Iraq.

The five have been detained by the US military in northern Iraq since they were captured in Irbil in January.

"Three Iranian diplomats including the ambassador in Baghdad visited the five detainees in Iraq," Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said.

The US says the five are linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and were backing militants in Iraq.

Mr Zebari said he hoped the visit would help pave the way for further talks between the US and Iran, after a landmark meeting in May.

US accusations

The detention of the five raised tension between the US and Iran, which has demanded that the men be released.

It also caused arguments between the White House and the State Department over their continued captivity.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reportedly argued for the five Iranians to be released because they were "no longer useful".

The US accuses Iran of providing arms, money and military training to Shia fighters in Iraq.

Some commentators have suggested Iran's arrest of 15 UK navy personnel in the Gulf in March was connected to the Irbil detentions, although Iranian officials have dismissed any link.

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Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari