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Police die in Iraq suicide attack US accuses Iran over Iraq bombs
(about 1 hour later)
A suicide bomber has driven a vehicle laden with explosives into a police station near the Iraqi town of Tikrit, killing at least 15 people. The US military has accused the "highest levels" of Iran's government of supplying increasingly sophisticated roadside bombs to Iraq's insurgents.
Senior defence officials told reporters in Baghdad that the bombs were being used to deadly effect, killing more than 170 US troops since June 2004.
The weapons known as "explosively formed projectiles" (EFPs) are capable of destroying an Abrams tank.
US claims the bombs were smuggled from Iran cannot be independently verified.
The US officials, speaking off camera on condition of anonymity, said that EFPs had also injured more than 620 US personnel since June 2004.
They said US intelligence analysts believed the bombs were manufactured in Iran and secretly sent into Iraq on the orders of senior officials in Tehran.
The US has claimed in the past that Iranian weapons were being used in Iraq, but have never before accused Iranian government officials of being directly involved.
Truck bomb
In the latest violence in Iraq , at least 15 people were killed when a suicide bomber drove a vehicle laden with explosives into a police station near the town of Tikrit.
At least 25 people were injured in the attack on the station in Adwar, about 175km (110 miles) north of Baghdad.At least 25 people were injured in the attack on the station in Adwar, about 175km (110 miles) north of Baghdad.
The casualties are reported to include prisoners held in cells at the police station, as well as civilian visitors.The casualties are reported to include prisoners held in cells at the police station, as well as civilian visitors.
The attack comes with US officials set to release what they say is evidence Iran is supporting violence in Iraq.
The BBC's Jane Peel, in Baghdad, says a briefing in the capital is expected to focus on information, weapons and explosives seized in raids, which US officials say provide good evidence that Iran is supporting and supplying militants.
Elsewhere, the US military said it was checking a report that an Apache helicopter had come down near the town of near Taji, about 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad.Elsewhere, the US military said it was checking a report that an Apache helicopter had come down near the town of near Taji, about 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad.
Explosives covered up
The blast at the police station happened at about 0800 (1100GMT) as police were arriving for work, Capt Abdel-Samad Mohammed was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.The blast at the police station happened at about 0800 (1100GMT) as police were arriving for work, Capt Abdel-Samad Mohammed was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
The bomber drove a small truck that was packed with explosives covered by hay, and the force of the blast caused the building to collapse, the officer said.The bomber drove a small truck that was packed with explosives covered by hay, and the force of the blast caused the building to collapse, the officer said.
On Friday, the new commander of US forces in Iraq, Lt Gen David Petraeus, assumed control ahead of a fresh push to quell violence.
Gen Petraeus will oversee President George W Bush's security plan, under which 21,500 extra US troops are being sent to Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said the US-backed plan will be a comprehensive operation.
"The plan will not start from one specific area - it will start from all areas at the same time, so you won't be able to say it's happening in this area but not that area," he said on Sunday.
"Those who will take part in it will be from all units of the army and police."