US says Iran does not want to see IS 'strengthened' amid Fallujah mission

WASHINGTON, May 31 (KUNA) -- Iran is "involved or at least interested in the outcome" of Iraqi security forces' mission to reclaim Fallujah from the so-called Islamic State because it does not want to see the group "strengthened," a US official said Tuesday.
"It's pretty obvious that it is not in Iran's interest to have this sectarian bloodbath right on their border. They understand that that would only empower IS," White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest told reporters. "The Iranians clearly understand the stakes here." He added that IS is "seeking to sow sectarian conflict that will create the kind of chaos that allows them to grow and thrive." "The United States does not plan or does not coordinate militarily with Iran. And I'm not aware of any plan to start doing that," Earnest said. (end) ak.gb