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ANDERSON COOPER: We heard
from Prime Minister al-Maliki before the break.
As we said, his government is dependent in so many
ways on Iran, even though Iranian weapons are killing
Iraqis and Americans. The White House, meantime, is
ratcheting up the rhetoric on the Islamic republic,
warning today that retreating from Iraq would amount
to an Iranian victory.
Sources expect more of the same from the president's
speech tomorrow night. U.S. diplomats also said today
that they're going to renew their push for tougher
trade sanctions against Iran when they meet with
their Russian, Chinese, and European counterparts on
the 21st.
Iran, as you would expect, is pushing back.
CNN's Michael Ware spoke with the Iranian ambassador
today. He joins me now.
Michael, first of all, how big of an actor is Iran
here in Iraq?
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Enormous, Anderson.
You cannot underestimate the influence that Iran has
here in Iraq.
Indeed, it's not wrong to say that Iran has much more
sway over the government of Iraq than does America.
All the fundamental building blocks of the Iraqi
government are militias, many of which were created
by, continue to be funded by, and its political
organizations fashioned by Iran. They own this place,
not America.
COOPER: And, as we said, the rhetoric by the U.S. is
certainly ramping up.
Let's listen to what some of the Iraqi ambassador
told you today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSAN KAZEMI QUMI, IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ
(through translator): We have no fear of the outbreak
of war. In the past several months, under different
pretexts, the Americans tried to create a U.S.-Arab
alliance against Iran. But it didn't work, and we
don't have any problems with the Arab countries.
So, we have no fear of a war and conflict, but have
concerns that U.S. efforts would want to create
conflict. But, given the similar interests and
efforts among the regional countries, conflict will
be averted.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Essentially, kind of standing tough.
WARE: Oh, absolutely. Iran is not backing off one
little inch.
To the Iranian point of view, all the cards are in
their hands. And they can sit back and wait and see
what America does. They're not offering America a
thing. Indeed, they're consolidating their power,
waiting for America to leave.
And America has been using its own proxies in the
Arab states and here within Iraq to try and counter
that, but, so far, to no avail.
COOPER: And the U.S. is accusing Iran of trying to
destabilize Iraq.
Let's listen to one other thing the ambassador said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUMI (through translator): U.S. security plans for
Iraq have not succeeded. The administration is
pointing fingers at others, and, by accusing others,
tries to cover up its own failed plans.
If you look at the Iraqi scene just in the past
several months, you will see clearly that terrorist
and sabotaging forces are mostly from countries whose
governments are, on the surface, U.S. allies. It is
true that, so far, we have had no relations with the
United States and that we have differences. But, thus
far, not one Iranian youth, not a single Iranian
citizen has engaged in suicide and terrorist attacks
against American troops in Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: He's essentially denying any wrongdoing in
Iraq.
WARE: Oh, absolutely.
What we see from the Iranian ambassador here in
Baghdad is, he just bats away the American
allegations like a man brushes away a fly. Indeed, he
throws down the gauntlet to America. He says, if you
have real evidence, then give it to us officially,
and we will respond.
He challenges America to give their evidence to the
Swiss Embassy in Tehran. At the same time, he throws
it back on America. He says, we have evidence that
you are interfering in our affairs, that you are
funding and supporting armed militias that are
opposed to our government. And we have that evidence.
We're ready to give ours. Are you ready to give
yours? It's a daring move.
COOPER: Yes, a war of words continues.
Michael Ware, appreciate the reporting.
Thanks.