Iran Ready to Fill Any Vacuum in Iraq

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks with media during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Ahmadinejad reiterated Tuesday that Tehran has achieved full proficiency in the nuclear fuel cycle and warned the West that dialogue and friendship not threats were the right way to deal with Iran. Ahmadinejad also warned Tuesday that a power vacuum is imminent in Iraq and said that Tehran was ready to help fill the gap. "The political power of the occupiers is collapsing rapidly," Ahmadinejad said at a press conference, referring to U.S. troops in Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Vahid Salemi - AP)

Ousting al-Maliki, a longtime Shiite political activist, would require a majority vote in the 275-member Iraqi parliament. As long as the Kurdish parties and the main Shiite bloc back al-Maliki, his opponents lack the votes for that.

In a move that could further strain U.S.-Iranian relations, U.S. troops raided a Baghdad hotel Tuesday night and detained about 10 people, including six whom a U.S.-funded radio station described as members of an Iranian delegation visiting to negotiate contracts with the Iraqis.

The Iranian Embassy said seven Iranians _ an embassy employee and six members of a delegation from Iran's Electricity Ministry _ were staying at the Sheraton Ishtar Hotel.

Iran has been vehemently protesting the detention of five Iranians by U.S. troops in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in January. U.S. authorities have said the five included the operations chief and other members of Iran's elite Quds Force, which is accused of arming and training Iraqi militants.

Iran describes the five, who remain in U.S. custody, as diplomats.

Washington has accused Tehran of being behind attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq _ a claim al-Maliki's government has only partially backed, saying Iran could have a role in the attacks. Iran has denied the charges.

Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of any U.S. military action against Iran, saying Washington has no plan and is not in a position to take such action.

As Ahmadinejad spoke, fighting between rival Shiite factions in southern Iraq raised new fears that a pullout by British troops there could lead to chaos. The clashes appeared to be part of a struggle for power of southern Iraqi Shia heartland, which includes the bulk of the country's vast oil wealth.