US wants Iran to quit destructive role in Iraq

Deeply distrustful of Iran, the White House expressed skepticism Monday about Teheran's plans to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq, where the United States has accused Iran of supporting terrorism and supplying weapons to kill American forces. "If Iran wants to quit playing a destructive role in the affairs of Iraq and wants to play a constructive role, we would certainly welcome that," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. But, he said, "We've seen little evidence to date (of constructive activities) and frankly all we have seen is evidence to the contrary."