Letters to the Editor
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The reporter fell for the spin
Iran's closest ally in Iraq is Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, head of the SIIC (formerly SCIRI) party, which is the largest party in the parliament. They are also very close to the prime minister, Maliki. Sadr is fighting Hakim for control of the south, which would vote for Sadr's allies in the regional elections if they go forward as scheduled and the local Sadrists aren't arrested or killed in the meantime. Hakim spent 20 years in exile in Tehran, and the Iranian government basically created his organization.
Why should Iran attack the Iraqi government, when they basically run it? They helped Sadr in the past when his family was fighting Saddam, but compared to Hakim he's much more of a nationalist.
I don't say that to praise Sadr; his people are thugs (just like Hakim's people). But it's false to pretend that he's an Iranian pawn, and this line is being spread by Cheney's people who want to attack Iran.