Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says a power vacuum is emerging in Iraq and that his government is ready to fill the gap with the help of neighboring states.
Speaking Tuesday in Tehran, Mr. Ahmadinejad attributed the developing vacuum to what he called the rapidly declining political power of "the occupiers," an apparent reference to the United States.
He did not elaborate on how Iran could fill such a power gap.
Washington accuses Tehran of fueling violence in Iraq by training and supplying weapons to Shi'ite insurgents. Iran denies the charge and says it is doing its best to stabilize its neighbor.
Mr. Ahmadinejad also said he sees "no possibility" of a U.S. attack on Iran.
The United States has accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, but says it favors diplomacy in ending the crisis. Iran denies seeking atomic weapons and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
