Iran 'backs US military contacts' to fight Islamic State
Hundreds of thousands of people from communities targeted by IS have fled their homes
Iran regards IS, which sees Shia Muslims as heretics, as a serious threat
5 September 2014
Iran's Supreme Leader has approved co-operation with the US as part of the fight against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, sources have told BBC Persian.
Ayatollah Khamenei has authorised his top commander to co-ordinate military operations with the US, Iraqi and Kurdish forces, sources in Tehran say.
Iran has traditionally opposed US involvement in Iraq, an Iranian ally.
