BAGHDAD: The Iraqi government says that if a report that the U. S. spied on the country's prime minister is true, future ties could be in jeopardy.

A statement released Friday by government spokesman Ali al Dabbagh is in response to a new book by American journalist Bob Woodward on the White House and the Iraq war. In the book, Woodward says the Bush administration spied on Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.

Al Dabbagh says Iraq will raise the allegations with the U. S. if true, he says, it will "cast a shadow" on relations with U. S. Intelligence agencies.

The White House has declined to comment directly on the allegation.

The allegations come as Iraq and the U. S. are working to resolve disagreements over a bilateral security agreement. 

Source : AP