THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Iran has accepted an invitation to a conference on Afghanistan next week that also will be attended by the U.S., the conference's Dutch host said today.

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said it is not yet clear who Tehran will send.

The invitation to Iran, which was first announced by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, was seen as part of Washington's policy toward greater engagement with the Islamic republic.

Verhagen said the invitation fit Europe's two-track approach of offering inducements to Iran to cooperate with the international community while maintaining sanctions for pursuing its nuclear program.

"I welcome this," he said of Iran's acceptance. "It is of utmost importance that Iran is participating."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Afghan President Hamid Karzai will open the meeting of nearly 80 countries and 20 international organizations.

President Barack Obama is preparing a sweeping U.S. policy review toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Taliban insurgents have taken refuge.