ISLAMABAD – Iran’s influence is looming large as Iraqis prepare to head tothe polls for parliamentary elections in May, with many in the countryworried that Tehran may be looking to strengthen its political grip onBaghdad through the ballot box.

Iranian support and military advisers helped Baghdad’s Shiite-ledgovernment beat back the Islamic State group. But with IS militants nowlargely defeated militarily, Iran’s expanding influence has emerged as oneof Iraq’s most divisive issues ahead of the balloting.

That influence has sown fear among Iraq’s disenchanted minority Sunnis, whobore the brunt of the war’s destruction, and has also caused concern inWashington. Despite tensions between the United States and Iran, bothremain key allies of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s government.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last month accused Iran of “mucking around”in Iraq’s upcoming elections, telling reporters the U.S. has what he called”worrisome evidence” that Iran is funneling “not an insignificant amount ofmoney” into Iraq to try to sway votes. Baghdad rejected the accusation.

Government spokesman Saad al-Hadithi stressed that the use of foreign moneyin domestic politics “is illegal and unconstitutional.”

“The government is taking great efforts to hold free and fair elections andprevent the manipulation of election results,” he said. – Agencies