Regarding failure of Iranian regime’s strategy in Iraq’s elections, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview, “Iran’s covert bid for influence there had been “clobbered” and that Baghdad appears headed toward an “inclusive” coalition government.”

The Washington Post wrote in its April 10th issue: “Vice President Biden didn’t use the jinxed phrase “mission accomplished.” But he offered an optimistic assessment of Iraq after last month’s parliamentary election, saying that Iran’s covert bid for influence there had been “clobbered” and that Baghdad appears headed toward an “inclusive” coalition government.”

“As for Iran’s bid for influence, Biden was emphatic in arguing that it had failed. He disclosed that Tehran had spent up to $100 million to back the Shiite religious parties and subvert the Iraqiya bloc, a secular Sunni-Shiite alliance headed by Ayad Allawi, the former prime minister. Bolstered by a strong Sunni turnout, Iraqiya ended up winning the largest number of seats.”Post added.

“It was a real stick in the eye of the Iranians,” Biden said of Tehran’s unsuccessful campaign to steer the election outcome. What’s more, he said, Tehran’s post-election effort to pressure Iraqi leaders who visited Tehran “has turned out to backfire.” Iraqi politicians had discovered “there’s a real price to be paid . . . if it looks like you are seeking the approval or following the direction of the Iranians or any neighbor.”