DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./IRAN: EVIDENCE EXISTS THAT IRAN IS NOT ONLY TRAINING, PROVIDING WEAPONS, ETC. BUT ALSO PLANNING ATTACKS AROUND IRAQ

Iran helping to plan attacks in Iraq - US

By Alister BullBAGHDAD, June 27 (Reuters) - Iran is training fighters in Iraq and helping to plan attacks there despite diplomatic pressure for change, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, while violence around the Arab state killed at least 19 people.

The latest accusation levelled against Iran by the U.S. military followed rare diplomatic talks in Baghdad last month between the two old adversaries to discuss Washington's concerns in Iraq.

"There absolutely is evidence of Iranian operatives holding weapons, training fighters, providing resources, helping plan operations, resourcing secret cells that is destabilising Iraq," said chief military spokesman Brigadier General Kevin Bergner.

"We would like very much to see some action on their part to reduce the level of effort and to help contribute to Iraq's security. We have not seen it yet," he told a news conference.

The United States, already seeking wider sanctions against Tehran over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme, blames Iranians for supplying a type of roadside bomb which cuts through armour and has killed many U.S. soldiers.

Tehran said last week it would study a request from Iraq for a new U.S.-Iran meeting, but warned a decision may take weeks.Daniel Speckhard, the number two U.S. diplomat in Iraq, said there had still been no word back from Iran.

Tensions between the two long-time foes are especially high after U.S. troops seized five Iranians earlier this year in northern Iraq, accusing them of helping insurgents.

Iran, which says the five are bona fide diplomats, is holding three U.S.-Iranian citizens on security-related charges.

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1) Iran helping to plan attacks in Iraq - US