WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - Iranian intelligence forces are providing support to Sunni insurgents in Iraq, in addition to Shi'ites, to destabilize the country and tie U.S. forces down, a U.S. general said on Thursday.

The comments from Maj. Gen. Michael Barbero, deputy director for regional operations in the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, mark the latest escalation in U.S. accusations against Iran's Shi'ite government.

"We are seeing some indicators of Iranian support to the Sunni extremist groups in Iraq, which is a development," Barbero said.

"Detainees in American custody have indicated that Iranian intelligence operatives have given support to Sunni insurgents and then we've discovered some munitions in Baghdad neighborhoods which are largely Sunni that were manufactured in Iran," he said.

The United States regularly accuses Iran of supporting Shi'ite militias in Iraq.

Asked why Iranian forces would support Sunnis, Barbero said they seek to "to destabilize Iraq, tie us down. Pretty much the same strategic goals they have by supporting the Shia insurgents."

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