BBC: Iran's supreme leader has told the visiting prime minister of Iraq that the root cause of his country's woes is the presence of US troops there.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has been trying to reassure Iran about a proposed security pact between Baghdad and the US.
An agreement could lead to the setting up of permanent US bases in Iraq.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported by Iranian media as saying that America's dream in Iraq "will not come true".
Iraqi officials say a pact is needed with the US military after its UN mandate runs out on 31 December to ensure there is no security vacuum.
Intense pressure
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says that, according to Iranian media reports, Ayatollah Khamenei had a blunt message for his Iraqi guest.
"The occupation forces, who have employed all their military and security power to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs, are now the main obstacle in the way of the Iraqi government and nation," he reportedly told Mr Maliki. US Presence Blamed for Iraq Woes >>> | June 9, 2008
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