Move is part of a broader U.S. effort to weaken Tehran’s growing sway in the fight against Islamist extremists in the Middle East

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama on Tuesday warned Iran to end its unilateral military role in Iraq, part of a broader U.S. effort to weaken Tehran’s influence in the fight against Islamist extremists in the Middle East.
With Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi sitting by his side in their first official Oval Office meeting, Mr. Obama said Iran had to “respect Iraqi sovereignty” by channeling any military support through Baghdad. Now, Tehran backs Shiite militias fighting Sunni militants from Islamic State.
The president’s moves come amid growing concerns by the U.S. and its Mideast allies about Iran’s efforts to extend its sway in the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and in Yemen’s conflict. They also come as Mr. Obama tries to seal a controversial accord with Tehran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for a lifting of sanctions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif reiterated on Tuesday that Iran won’t accept a final deal that doesn’t involve lifting sanctions immediately, rather than in stages as foreseen in the April 2 framework accord. However, Mr. Zarif also said that the parties “need an understanding that sanctions and agreement don’t go together.”
U.S. officials also expressed alarm this week after Russia said it would lift its self-imposed ban on selling sophisticated military gear to Iran, signaling a new era of potential defense cooperation between the two countries. A senior Iranian official on Tuesday said he believed his country would receive a powerful air-defense system from Russia as early as this year. Russian officials suggested the delivery could take longer.
The two leaders discussed Iran’s role extensively, Mr. Obama said, and both men agreed that Iran shouldn’t be independently aiding and advising its Shiite allies on Iraq’s front-lines. “We do not accept any intervention in Iraq, or any transgression on Iraqi sovereignty,” Mr. Abadi said. “This is a war that is fought with Iraqi blood, with help from the coalition forces and regional countries.”
Mr. Abadi’s visit comes two weeks after the U.S. military convinced Mr. Abadi to sideline Iranian-backed militias in the fight to rout Islamic State forces from Tikrit, former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s hometown north of Baghdad.
The U.S. is now seeking to capitalize on the victory in Tikrit to encourage Mr. Abadi to strengthen his ties with America. That poses a challenge for Mr. Abadi, a Shiite leader in a Shiite-majority country with deep religious and cultural ties to Iran.
U.S. defense officials have said that Iraq is taking significant steps to shift away from reliance on Iran, steps they say helped bootstrap a stalled fight for Tikrit. The officials said that Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, head of Iran’s elite Quds force, was angered by Mr. Abadi’s attempt to marginalize major Iranian-backed Shiite militias in exchange for U.S. airstrikes.
Mr. Abadi alluded to reports of human rights abuses by Shiite militants in Tikrit who were accused of summary executions, torture and widespread looting.
The prime minister said he had “zero tolerance” for such abuses and said the problems underscored his demand that all forces fighting Islamic State fall under Baghdad’s direct control.
This week’s meetings are a chance for Mr. Abadi to argue that the U.S. will best dilute Iran’s influence by stepping up its military and financial support for his government.

The Wall Street Journal – April 14, 2015