Iran rejects U.S. claims on meddling in Iraq

[News_Editor]

Iran rejects U.S. claims on meddling in Iraq

2011-07-12 07:51:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEHRAN (BNO NEWS) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Monday rejected claims by the United States that the Islamic Republic is meddling in Iraq, Press TV reported.

Earlier on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who is on a formal visit to Iraq, said the U.S. is "very concerned about Iran and the weapons they're providing to extremists in Iraq."

"We do not consider the U.S. as the criteria for determining right and wrong," Salehi said in a joint press conference with Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar on Monday.

"The international community and world public opinion are well aware that Iran as a responsible country has always behaved in a way [that has seen] its duties carried out well."

On Friday, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen also accused Iran of "supporting extremist troops" in Iraq. Iran's ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danaeifar also rejected the accusations, saying the U.S. is attempting to extend its presence in Iraq with such allegations.

"I believe the Americans are trying to make excuses, create Iranophobia, and cause doubt and anxiety among Iraqi officials and society. The Americans are trying to suggest that if they leave Iraq, Iraq will be threatened by Iran," Danaeifar said.

The United States has expressed renewed concern about Iranian meddling in Iraq. It has often urged Iran to end its support of violence in Iraq.

Less than 50,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, eight years since the U.S.-led war began on March 20, 2003. According to a security agreement between Baghdad and Washington, all U.S. forces will be withdrawn by the end of 2011.

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