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An unconfirmed report Sept. 5 that Iraq wants to purchase 36 advanced F-16 fighters from the United States will likely send shivers down Iran's spine.

The Iraqi government is seeking to purchase 36 advanced F-16 fighters from the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 5, citing U.S. military officials who are reportedly familiar with the request. Such a report is very likely to make Iran bolt upright at the thought of its longtime Arab rival developing an aggressive offensive air capability while its own air force is in serious disrepair. But the primary purpose of floating this potential weapons sale probably has more to do with providing an incentive for Tehran to move the negotiating process forward with the United States.

There is no doubt — in either Tehran or Washington — that the United States will be equipping the Iraqi military with new hardware. But Iran will seek to limit this in both qualitative and quantitative terms. The Iraqi air force may well see F-16s one day. But at this point, the leak should be understood more as an opening bid than a firm number — and that bid is directed not at Baghdad, but at Tehran.