Intel says Iran meddling in Iraq-U.S. deal

BAGHDAD, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq says reports indicate Iran tried to squelch an agreement allowing U.S. troops to stay in Iraq after the year's end.

Gen. Ray Odierno, in an interview with The Washington Post, said Iran worked overly and covertly to undermine the agreement regarding U.S. troop presence in Iraq after the U.N. resolution on troop deployment expires Dec. 31. U.S. and Iraqi officials are nearing agreement on the status-of-forces deal that still must be ratified by Iraq's parliament.

"Clearly, this is one they're having a full court press on to try to ensure there's never any bilateral agreement between the United States and Iraq," Odierno said. "We know that there are many relationships with people here for many years going back to when Saddam was in charge, and I think they're utilizing those contacts to attempt to influence the outcome of the potential vote in the council of representatives."

Odierno said he had no definitive proof of the bribes, but said "many intelligence reports" suggest Iranians are "coming in to pay off people to vote against it."

Iranian officials denied trying to interfere in Iraqi affairs, the Post said, instead accusing the United States of blaming Tehran for what Iranian officials said was a failed U.S. policy in Iraq.