Muqtada al-Sadr, the Iraqi cleric, has said his al-Mahdi Army would help to defend Iran if it is attacked.
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with Ali Larijani, the senior Iranian nuclear negotiator, on Sunday, he said his militia was formed to defend Islam.
"The forces of Mahdi Army defend the interests of Iraq and Islamic countries," al-Sadr said. "If neighbouring Islamic countries, including Iran, become the target of attacks, we will support them.
"The Mahdi Army is beyond the Iraqi army. It was established to defend Islam."
Al-Sadr's comments could be seen as a message that Tehran has allies who could make things difficult for US forces in the region if Iran's nuclear facilities are attacked.
Popular cleric
Al-Sadr has a large following among Iraq's young and impoverished Shia community. His militia launched two uprisings against US troops in Iraq in 2004 but since the fighting ended he has transformed himself into a respectable political figure.
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