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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/17/world/middleeast/17iran.html
Iran Playing a Growing Role in Iraq Economy
[New York Times] Edward Wong - The economies of Iraq and Iran are becoming closely integrated, with Iranian goods flooding Iraqi markets and Iraqi cities looking to Iran for basic services. While the Bush administration works to stop Iran from meddling in Iraq, Iranian air-conditioners fill Iraqi appliance stores, Iranian tomatoes ripen on kitchen windowsills, and legions of white Iranian-made Peugeots sit in Iraqi driveways. Some Iraqi cities, including Basra, the southern oil center, buy or plan to buy electricity from Iran. The Iraqi government relies on Iranian companies to bring gasoline from Turkmenistan to alleviate a severe shortage. Iran has offered to lend Iraq $1 billion.