Iraqi officials gave contradictory accounts on Tuesday about whether or not Baghdad had agreed to buy $195 million worth of arms and ammunition from Iran as reported by Reuters , a deal that if confirmed could damage Iraqi-U.S. relations.
The Defence Ministry denied any such deal had been done , while a senior Iraqi government lawmaker who heads parliament’s security and defence committee said Baghdad had bought “some light weapons and ammunition” from Tehran .
The United States has demanded explanations from Iraq since such a deal would violate U.S. and U.N. sanctions imposed on Iran over its disputed nuclear program. An influential U.S. senator said the sale of 24 Apache attack helicopters to Iraq should be reconsidered until the matter was cleared up.
Reuters, citing documents it had obtained, reported on Monday that Iraq struck the arms deal with Iran at the end of November after Maliki returned from Washington.
Some in Washington worry about providing sensitive U.S. military equipment to a country they worry is becoming too close to Iran.
The ministry acknowledged Iran had put in a bid for a contract to supply Iraq with night vision goggles and ammunition, but said that the tender was granted to other parties it did not identify.
Two contracts seen by Reuters were agreed with the state-owned Iran Electronic Industries for night vision goggles, communications equipment and mortar-guiding devices.
White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters the Obama administration was seeking answers from Baghdad.
“We raised our concerns about this matter at the highest levels with the government of Iraq and reiterated that any transfer or sale of arms from Iran is in direct violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions , “ Carney said. “The government of Iraq assured us they would look into the matter.”
The U.S. Congress has a 30-day period that ends Wednesday to hold up the Apache sale. Prominent U.S. Senator John McCain told Reuters on Tuesday the plan should be reconsidered in light of Baghdad’s reported arms transaction with Tehran .
“The Apache sale has got to be on the table. We’ve got to discuss it , “ McCain said when asked about the Reuters report. “We’ve got to understand the ramification of this arms deal. We have to look at it a little more carefully.”