U.S. Officials Say Al- Sadr Is In Iran

Senior U.S. military officials are quoted by U.S. news organizations as saying al-Sadr, leader of the Imam al-Mahdi Army militia, left Baghdad two or three weeks ago and fled to Tehran, where he has family.

Al-Sadr allegedly feared he could be targeted by U.S.-led coalition forces amid the current security crackdown under way in Baghdad, according to the reports.

However, two aides to al-Sadr denied the reports. AFP quotes Nassar al-Rubaie as saying al-Sadr is still in Iraq, without saying where, while another aide said he remains in the Shi'ite holy city of Al-Najaf.

The reports about al-Sadr's alleged departure followed an announcement that Iraq is closing its borders with Iran and Syria for 72 hours as part of the operation to halt violence.

(compiled from agency reports)