Blair Points to Evidence Either Iran or Hezbollah Aiding Isurgents in Iraq

British Prime Minister Tony Blair told reporters in London that the use of new explosive devices by insurgents in Iraq likely points to involvement by either Iran and/or the terrorist group Hezbollah in the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

Blair indicated he was not certain but he believes that the recent controversy over Iran's nuclear program may have been a motive for Tehran's decision to support the insurgency.

'There is no justification for Iran or any other country interfering in Iraq,' Blair said during a news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. 'Neither will be subject to any intimidation in raising the necessary and live issues to do with the nuclear weapons obligations under the (International) Atomic Energy Agency treaty.'

A senior British government official said that explosives used over the summer by insurgents pointed to involvement by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The explosives in question killed as many as eight British soldiers. The official was not certain if the same type of explosives were used to kill Americans as well.

Blair stopped short of saying Iran and/or Hezbollah was definitely involved in aiding the insurgents, adding, 'We know that the devices are of a similar nature to those used by Hezbollah, and there are certain pieces of information that lead us back to Iran. But I'm not saying any more than that — we cannot be sure of this.'

He continued, 'What is clear is that there have been new explosive devices used, not just against British troops but elsewhere in Iraq. The particular nature of those devices lead us either to Iranian elements or to Hezbollah, because they are similar to the devices used by Hezbollah.'

Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. It was formed in 1983 with Iranian backing and has been linked to attacks against American forces as far back as the attack on Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983.

According to published reports, Iran provides Hezbollah with between $10 million and $20 million per month.