US Rachets Up Pressure on Iraq Over Post of Prime Minister (4)

A standoff between the White House and Iraqi politicians over who should be the Middle Eastern country’s next prime minister is worsening, according to several people, with the rift threatening to destabilize the OPEC member.

In recent days, Washington told Iraqi officials it would reduce the country’s access to oil-export revenues if it appointed Nouri Al-Maliki, seen by the US as too close to Iran, as premier, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks.

The US gave a new warning during a meeting between Ali Al-Alaq, the central bank governor of Iraq, and senior ...