Iran to back US-Iraq pact after referendum

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday that his country would fully back the US-Iraq security pact if it's approved by Iraqis in a referendum next summer. Hasan Qashqavi said that Iran would agree to "any decision the Iraqi people reach in the referendum." The vote is to be held by July 30. Qashqavi's comments were the first official reaction and endorsement of the deal from Teheran. Iran has long criticized the pact but recently softened its stance - particularly after the deal affirmed Iraq's territory cannot be used for attacks on neighboring states.