Flights of Iranian weapons to Syria through Iraqi airspace, which a senior State Department official said were occurring on nearly a daily basis, have been crucial for the government of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, which faces increasing pressure from rebel fighters. Mr. Kerry said he had a spirited discussion with Mr. Maliki about the issue, but there was no tangible sign that the Iraqis would alter their position.
Mr. Kerry, speaking at a news conference at the American Embassy here after meeting with the prime minister, said he stressed that supporting Mr. Assad by allowing the flights is “problematic” and did not represent the “common goals” of the United States and Iraq.
The air corridor over Iraq has emerged as a main route of military aid to Mr. Assad’s government. The shipments include rockets, antitank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, and Iranian personnel, according to American intelligence officials. There are supply lines on the ground as well.
Iran has as an enormous stake in Syria, which is its staunchest Arab ally and has provided a channel for Iran’s support to the Islamist movement Hezbollah in Lebanon.