The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups.<\/p>\n
The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following attacks on US interests in the country by groups showing solidarity with Iran.<\/p>\n
Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighboring Iran and the United States.<\/p>\n
However, Iraqi leaders have struggled to maintain that delicate balance as war engulfs the Middle East.<\/p>\n
An Iraqi government official told AFP only one shipment has not arrived, citing \u201clogistical reasons due to the war\u201d and airspace closure.<\/p>\n
An Iraqi central bank official also downplayed the issue, telling AFP that dollar shipments have ceased during the regional war \u201cdue to the suspension of flights and the security situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the central bank has not requested more US dollars as it has sufficient reserves and there is \u201cno current need to boost them.\u201d<\/p>\n
But an Iraqi security official confirmed to AFP that the United States has suspended its security cooperation with Iraq over factions targeting US interests.<\/p>\n
Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war with strikes targeting Iran-backed groups, which in turn have claimed attacks on US interests, mostly in Iraq but also across the Gulf states.<\/p>\n
The US embassy in Baghdad and a logistical and diplomatic centre inside the city\u2019s airport have been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones, with most intercepted.<\/p>\n
Missile and rocket attacks also targeted the US consulate in Erbil in Iraq\u2019s northern Kurdistan region, as well as the city\u2019s airport, where US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops are deployed.<\/p>\n
The US State Department said this month it had summoned Iraq\u2019s ambassador to Washington to express \u201cstrong condemnation\u201d of attacks by pro-Iran groups on US interests, including an \u201cambush\u201d on US diplomats in Baghdad on April 8.<\/p>\n