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Bush maintains pressure on Iran | Bush maintains pressure on Iran |
(30 minutes later) | |
President Bush has insisted a branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards is linked to some attacks on US troops in Iraq. | President Bush has insisted a branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards is linked to some attacks on US troops in Iraq. |
The US was "certain", he said, that the force was providing a weapon known as an EFP, which the US says has been used in particularly deadly attacks. | The US was "certain", he said, that the force was providing a weapon known as an EFP, which the US says has been used in particularly deadly attacks. |
But he said he did not know who was directing the force, and denied laying the groundwork for an attack on Iran. | But he said he did not know who was directing the force, and denied laying the groundwork for an attack on Iran. |
Mr Bush also defended his strategy for securing Iraq a day after the House of Representatives began debating it. | Mr Bush also defended his strategy for securing Iraq a day after the House of Representatives began debating it. |
He admitted that it would take time to establish security in Baghdad, and said that violence would continue, but said it was vital to US security to succeed in Iraq. | He admitted that it would take time to establish security in Baghdad, and said that violence would continue, but said it was vital to US security to succeed in Iraq. |
"If we fail there, the enemy will follow us here. I firmly believe that," he said. | "If we fail there, the enemy will follow us here. I firmly believe that," he said. |
The US House of Representatives on Tuesday began debate on a resolution opposing the president's plan. | The US House of Representatives on Tuesday began debate on a resolution opposing the president's plan. |
The non-binding resolution is expected to pass easily, with as many as several dozen members of Mr Bush's Republican party joining the Democratic majority. | The non-binding resolution is expected to pass easily, with as many as several dozen members of Mr Bush's Republican party joining the Democratic majority. |
Government orders? | |
Mr Bush appeared to be trying to steer a fine line on Iran. | |
I don't think we know who picked up the phone and said to the Quds Force: 'Go do this' George W Bush | |
Unnamed US officials in Baghdad said at the weekend that the "highest levels" of the Iranian government were supplying weapons to Shia militants in Iraq. | |
But top uniformed personnel - including the highest-ranking US military officer, General Peter Pace - have refused to confirm that accusation in recent days. | |
Mr Bush said Iran's al-Quds Force - a branch of the Revolutionary Guards charged with exporting the Iranian revolution - was the source of the weapons. | |
But he said he did not know who was giving them their orders. | |
"I don't think we know who picked up the phone and said to the Quds Force: 'Go do this.'" | |
The Revolutionary Guards report to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. | |
Mr Bush denied he was attempting to provoke Iran, insisting he was only seeking to protect US troops. | |
He also appeared to suggest there was no point in talking directly to Iran at the present time. | |
"If I thought we could achieve success, I would sit down with Iran," he said. | |
But he insisted Tehran must "have a verifiable suspension" of its alleged nuclear weapons programme before the US would engage in direct talks. |