Special to WorldTribune.com

Iran’s expanding and increasingly open military presence in Iraq was foremost in the mind of Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister when he met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on March 5.

Prince Saud al-Faisal accused Iran of “taking over” the kingdom’s Arab neighbour through its increasingly open and active role in the fight against ISIL.

“Tikrit is a prime example of what we are worried about. Iran is taking over the country,” Faisal said.

Kerry agreed that a key Iranian commander, Gen. Qassem Suleimani was helping led th offensive.

“Is General Suleimani – has he been on the ground, is he playing a role? The answer’s yes,” Kerry said.

“Everybody has known that there are some movement of Iranian forces, both in and out of the northern part of Iraq, who have been engaged in fighting since the very beginning. But it is not coordinated. We are not coordinating with them.”

The United Nations reported March 5 that the offensive aimed at retaking Tikrit from ISIL had already led some 28,000 people to flee the city.

Iraqi forces and Iran-backed militia launched the offensive against Tikrit on March 2.

  Saudis press Kerry on Iran’s growing role in Iraq, WorldTribune.com