U.K. Official Accuses Iran Of Role In Iraqi Violence

5 October 2005 -- A senior British official today accused Iran of being behind a series of attacks in southern Iraq that have killed eight British troops this year.

The allegations were made by an unnamed senior official during a press briefing in London. The official accused Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) of being "in active collusion in the smuggling of weapons into Iraq."

The official reportedly told correspondents that it is believed the IRGC was responsible for supplying the technology used in the attacks. He said there is evidence that the Iranians were in contact with insurgent groups in the region.

The official said London has formally protested to Tehran, and that the Iranian government has denied responsibility.

(BBC/dpa/AP)