Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Monday, 3 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 July 2006. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Thursday, 6 July 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received from her US counterpart regarding the statement by the US Commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq that covert Iranian special forces are providing weapons, roadside bomb technology and training to Shi'ite extremist groups; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discusses the situations in Iran and Iraq frequently with Dr. Rice. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said, the nature of some explosive devices used in Iraq, including against British troops, leads us to either Iranian elements or Lebanese Hezbollah, which has close connections with Iran. We continue to investigate. We have repeatedly made our concerns clear to the Iranians in the strongest terms.

Secondary information