Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki(R) shakes hands with Iran's Vice President Parviz Davoudi before an official meeting in Tehran June 8, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) 

"Iraq's stability and security can have a great impact on the region," said al-Maliki, who arrived in Tehran on Saturday afternoon for a three-day visit to the Islamic Republic.

Earlier on Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told al-Maliki that the presence of US-led forces in Iraq is the country 's fundamental problem.

"The most fundamental problem of Iraq is the presence of foreign forces in that country," state television quoted Khamenei as saying in his meeting with Maliki in Tehran.

Presence of occupation forces, particularly the US troops, are now regarded as the main threat to the country's unity, said the Iranian supreme leader, adding that the occupation forces who have employed all their military and security power to interfere in Iraq 's internal affairs are now the main obstacle in the way of the Iraqi government and nation.

"We believe that the Iraqi nation through unity and perseverance will overcome hardships and attain their desired status," Khamenei said, "No doubt that the Americans' dreams will not come true."