FACTBOX: Iran's interests and influence in Iraq

(Reuters) - Iran and Iraq's other neighboring countries meet in Kuwait on Tuesday to discuss Iraqi security and other issues.

Following are what Iranian, U.S. and Iraqi officials say about Iran's interests and role in Iraq, as well as analysts views on Tehran's aims:

WHAT DOES IRAN SAY ABOUT IRAQ?

-- Iranian officials have called for the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops, who they blame for destabilizing Iraq.

-- Iran regularly voices support for the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who like most Iranians is a Shi'ite Muslim. Tehran says it is ready to help restore stability in Iraq, with which Iran fought a war in the 1980s.

WHAT DO U.S. AND IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY ABOUT IRAN?

-- U.S. officials accuse Iran of funding, training and arming Iraqi militias. They say such operations are led by Iran's Qods force, a wing of the Islamic Republic's ideological Revolutionary Guards. Iran denies the charges.

-- Iraqi officials have urged Iran and its arch-foe, the United States, not to fight a proxy war on Iraqi territory.

WHAT ARE ANALYSTS' VIEWS ABOUT IRAN'S AIMS?