America's commander in Iraq General David Petraeus is expected to beat the drum for a war against Iran by making harsh anti-Tehran allegations.

According to the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, Petraeus' harsh remarks against Iran in next week's testimonies in Washington will be a repeat of his previous allegations. He maintains that Tehran is intervening in Iraq. Such accusations can set the stage for 'a US attack on Iranian military facilities.'

"Petraeus is going to go very hard on Iran as the source of attacks on the American effort in Iraq," a British official alleged, claiming "Iran is waging a war in Iraq. The idea that America can't fight a war on two fronts is wrong, there can be airstrikes and other moves."

"Petraeus has put emphasis on America having to fight the battle on behalf of Iraq. In his report he can frame it in terms of our soldiers killed and diplomats dead in attacks on the Green Zone."

The British newspaper further stated that there are signs any strike against Iran would unite US politicians who are widely divided on Iraq.

Petraeus and the US ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, are to attend four separate committee meetings of the US Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday to answer questions about the war-shattered country. They later travel to London to brief UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

In late March, the top US commander claimed he had evidence that Iran was behind the recent bombardment of the heavily-fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, but, as has been the case with all other similar allegations by US officals and military commanders, he failed to produce any evidence to support his claim.

MK/JG/GM