The United States has expelled two UN-based Iraqi diplomats and asked 60 countries to expel alleged Iraqi agents that US officials said may be poised to attack US interests overseas.
The government has identified 300 Iraqis in the 60 countries whom officials want expelled, US officials said. Some are operating as diplomats out of Iraqi embassies, the officials said, adding that the foreign governments are expected to comply with the US request.
In New York, Iraqi Ambassador Mr Mohammed Al-Douri said the two Iraqis being expelled men were informed of the expulsion order on Tuesday and given 72 hours to leave the US.
"The two attaches were engaged in activities outside the scope of their official function," the State Department said.
The men speak only Arabic and have the ranks of attachés but are not on the list of personnel accredited to the United Nations, Mr Al-Douri said.
He said both diplomats had been approached by US officials and asked to defect. "All Iraqi people in the mission have been approached in that way, except me," he said.
Last month, the US government expelled an Iraqi journalist who covered the United Nations for the official Iraqi News Agency, saying he was "harmful" to the security of the United States.