The White House insists that the United States will not talk directly with Iran until Tehran suspends its nuclear program. But US officials have been discreetly meeting their Iranian counterparts one-on-one for more than a decade, often under the auspices of the United Nations.

The little-known history of the contacts between the nations, which have not had formal diplomatic relations since the Iranian hostage crisis 27 years ago, is one of misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Budding cooperation on Afghanistan, Iraq and rooting out Al-Qaeda has led to increased distrust and frustration instead of warmer ties — a record that makes a summit both countries plan to attend this weekend in Baghdad all the more fraught.

David Satterfield, the top adviser on Iraq to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said on Thursday that he would confront Iran about its suspected provision of materiel and training for Iraqi attacks on US troops. 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.”

Despite decades of enduring tensions, the continuing conversations reveal a slender swathe of common ground upon which Washington and Tehran have built a delicate bridge: The two share an interest in the region’s security and resources.

“The point is that we think the Iranians can do a lot that will be conducive to peace in the region and good for them and good for their people,” White House spokesman Tony Snow said last week.

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