LOS ANGELES, March 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. officials have been discreetly meeting their Iranian counterparts one-on-one for more than a decade, often under the auspices of the United Nations, it was reported on Friday.

    The little-known history of these contacts between the two nations, which have not had formal diplomatic relations since the Iranian hostage crisis ended in 1980, is one of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, The Los Angeles Times reported.

    The United States has insisted that it won't talk directly with Iran until Tehran suspends its nuclear program.

    Despite little public dialogue, the foes share a sliver of common ground: an interest in Mideast security and resources, said the paper.

    Representatives of both countries prepare to attend a regional summit this weekend in Baghdad.

    Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's top Iraq advisor, David Satterfield, was quoted as saying that he would confront Iran about its alleged provision of materiel and training for attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq. He added that he would not seek out Iranian diplomats, but said, "If we are approached over orange juice .. we are not going to turn and walk away."

    But the paper noted that budding cooperation on Afghanistan, Iraq and al Qaeda has led to increased distrust and frustration instead of warmer ties.

    "Despite decades of tension, the continuing conversations reveal a slender swath of common ground upon which Washington and Tehran have built a delicate bridge: an interest in the region's security and resources," the paper said.