BAGHDAD — Iraq’s most influential Shiite politician said Sunday that the U.S has not backed up claims that Iran is fueling violence in Iraq.
The Americans have long accused the Iranians of arming and training Shiite militias, including some linked to the U.S.-backed government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite.
U.S. officials have also alleged that Iran has provided weapons used to kill Americans, a charge the Iranians vehemently deny.
“These are only accusations raised by the multinational forces and I think these accusations need more proof,” Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Islamic Iraq Council, told reporters.
Al-Hakim, who has been undergoing treatment for lung cancer in Iran, said the Iranians have insisted in meetings with Iraqi officials that “their true will is to support the Iraqi government” and to promote stability.
“They have a long history of standing by the Iraqi people and that is their official stance that is presented to the press without any hesitation,” he said.
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