The U.S. State Department on Monday expressed renewed concern about what it says is Iranian “meddling” in Iraqi politics as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Tehran. The State Department says it understands the need for a democratic Iraq to have relations with Iran and that it is not criticizing Mr. Maliki's decision to visit Tehran. But it is urging caution on the part of Iraqi leaders, saying that Iran can be a better neighbor by respecting Iraqi sovereignty and ending support for those who use violence in Iraq. The comments by State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley followed meetings by the Iraqi Prime Minister with Iran's supreme religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iranian state television says Mr. Maliki also met in Tehran with exiled Iraqi Shi'ite cleric and militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr – a strong opponent of the U.S. presence in Iraq, who is now supporting a second term in office for Mr. Maliki, a fellow Shi'ite.