US CONCERNED OVER REPORTS OF IRAQ-IRAN ARMS DEAL

Washington, 26 Rabiul Akhir 1435 / 26 February 2014 (MINA) – The US government has voiced concerns over a reported arms deal between Iran and Iraq, White House spokesman Jay Carney says.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Carney said that the Iraqi government has denied that it had signed an arms deal with Tehran, adding that Washington will follow up with Baghdad on the issue.

A report by Reuters on Monday said that the agreement worth $195 million was reached at the end of November, just weeks after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pressed the Obama administration for more weapons during a visit to Washington for its fight against the al-Qaeda terrorist group.

Quoting Iraqi lawmakers, the report said that Maliki made the deal after being fed up with delays in US arms deliveries, according to Press TV report monitored by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The deal has sent a message to Washington that threatening to withhold or delay arms purchases would no longer work, an unnamed lawmaker was quoted as saying.

Without confirming or denying the deal, a spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister said such a deal would be understandable considering Iraq’s current security troubles.

“We are launching a war against terrorism and we want to win this war,” Ali Mussawi said.

On Monday, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki called on the Iraqi government to explain media reports that it had signed a contract to buy arms from Tehran.

She said, “Any transfer of arms from Iran to a third country is in direct violation” of the United Nations Security Council sanctions.

Iran already supplies Baghdad with electricity and gas and reiterated an offer of military assistance in January.

On January 5, Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi said if necessary, the Islamic Republic is prepared to give military equipment to Iraq to fight al-Qaeda. (T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)