Iraq Signs $195 Million Arms Deal With Iran / Jen Psaki

Iran has signed a deal to sell Iraq $195 million worth of arms and ammunition, according to a report by Reuters, in a move that would violate a U.N. weapons embargo on Iran. Reuters said documents showed that Iraq signed eight arms contracts with Iranian state-owned companies in November, just weeks after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with U.S. President Barack Obama requesting additional weapons to fight al Qaeda-linked militants. Maliki would neither confirm nor deny the reports, and the Iranian government denied any knowledge of an arms deal with Iraq. The United States said it is “seeking clarification” over the report, and State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said “If true, this would raise serious concerns.” A U.S. official said such a deal could complicate ongoing nuclear talks with Iran.