Iraq forces Iranian plane bound for Syria to land

Baghdad: Iraqi officials say they searched an Iranian plane bound for Damascus looking for weapons being sent to fighters loyal to the Syrian regime, but none were found

Government spokesman Ali al-Moussawi says the cargo plane was forced to land on Monday, but a search showed it was carrying medical and humanitarian aid, not weapons.

It is the first plane to be forced to land since Iraqi officials promised last week to conduct more random searches of vehicles traveling overland and aircraft moving in its airspace to check for weapons headed to the Syrian conflict.

Officials said they will not allow its territory to be used to supply weapons to the Syrian regime or the rebels trying to overthrow it.

The U.S. pressed Iraq to ban the over flights.