The Pentagon said Friday that Iran has sent "small numbers" of operatives into Iraq, noting that there is no sign of a large deployment of army units.

The Pentagon said Friday that Iran has sent "small numbers" of operatives into Iraq, noting that there is no sign of a large deployment of army units.

"There are some Iranian revolutionary operatives in Iraq but I've seen no indication of ground forces or major units," spokesman Admiral John Kirby told a news conference.

"I'll let the Iranians speak for their activities," Kirby said.

"We have indications that there are at least some operatives inside Iraq," he said, saying the alleged deployment amounted to "small numbers" of agents.

Takfiri terrorists of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant have been waging an insurgency against the Iraqi government, with ISIL seized several areas in the country, threatening civilians and looting the official facilities.