Donald Rumsfeld

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has warned Iran and Syria against interfering in Iraq's affairs.

Rumsfeld made the comment Friday in Taormina, Sicily, where he was meeting with his NATO counterparts.

He said the United States has taken a series of initiatives to try to show Iran and Syria that their actions are harmful to the new Iraqi government and the region.

He did not specify the alleged actions, but U.S. officials have previously accused Iran of encouraging radicalism among Iraq's Shi'ites and allowing dangerous materials to cross the border. The United States also alleges Syria allows foreign fighters to travel into Iraq.

Rumsfeld met Friday with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. He said they discussed Iran's controversial nuclear program, but he refused to elaborate.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.