US-led coalition forces in Iraq presented today what officials said was "a growing body" of evidence of Iranian weapons being used to kill coalition soldiers.
A senior defence official from the Multi-National Force told a briefing that 170 coalition personnel had been killed by roadside bombs known as explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) that he said were manufactured in Iran and smuggled into Iraq.
US officials say Iran is fanning violence in Iraq by giving sophisticated bomb-making technology, money and training to Shi'ite groups who are attacking US and British troops. Tehran denies the charge.
In Baghdad, journalists were shown fragments of what the defence official said were Iranian-made weapons, including one part of an EFP and tail fins from 81-mm and 60-mm mortar bombs.
"The weapons had characteristics unique to being manufactured in Iran ... Iran is the only country in the region that produces these weapons," the defence official said.
Officials also said Iran had "multiple" surrogate groups operating in Iraq that were using the EFPs.
Agencies