DUBAI. June 5: The UN sanctions against Iraq and the US ban on trade and investment against Iran which'come Into force from today appear to have .brought the once bitter foes in the region closer than ever, say observers, reports PTI.

Both Iraq and Iran have stepped up diplomatic initiatives recently for mending fences so much so that even a summit between the heads of slate of the two countries seems distinct, even if distant, possibility.

Ali Khorram. a top adviser ' to Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati who headed an 11-member delegation ’to Baghdad last month told an Iranian newspaper that he did not rule out the possibility of a meeting between the two . leaders in the future.'"