US Senate Members criticized Ahmadinejad’s visit to Iraq as the president of a state sponsor of terrorism, particularly at a time whenTehran supports extremist groups in Iraq, reported Al-Hurra TV.

These criticisms took place during a hearing session of the Senate Armed Forces Committee regarding assessment of year 2009 budget. In this session the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq were discussed.

The US Senate members of both Parties propounded strong criticisms over Ahmadinejad’s visit. Some of them accused the Iraqi government that there was no need of welcoming the Iranian President. Some others said that the defeat of US policy in Iraq has led to the visit of Iran’s president to Iran and has strengthened Iran’s influence in the region.