More Attacks Ahead Of Iraq Vote
Suicide, Roadside Bombs Kill At Least 13, Including U.S. Soldier
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Play CBS Video Video 'Chilling' Al Qaeda Letter The U.S. obtained a 13-page letter written by Osama bin Laden's deputy, outlining with what one senior official calls "chilling clarity" al Qaeda's strategy for Iraq and beyond, reports David Martin.
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Video Bush Raises Iraq War Stakes President Bush raised the stakes in the war on terror, warning that failure in Iraq could ignite a Communist-style domino effect. John Roberts reports.
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Video Bush Challenges Iraq Critics As Iraqis prepare to vote on the Constitutional referendum in the coming week, President Bush said pulling out of the country would only embolden terrorists around the world. Susan Roberts reports.
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An Iraqi woman hurries away from a battle between U.S. forces and insurgents (AP)
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Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, meets with the Iraq President Jalal Talabani (AP)
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Interactive American Heroes Profiles of U.S. soldiers who've died in Iraq, a look at the war's toll and pictures of mourning.
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
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Interactive Attacks Map Details on the insurgency and terrorism that has continued to take lives since the fall of Saddam.
"There is no justification for Iran or any other country interfering in Iraq," Blair said during a news conference with Talabani.
"Neither will be subject to any intimidation in raising the necessary and live issues to do with the nuclear weapons obligations under the (International) Atomic Energy Agency treaty."
"The continued presence of British and American troops is absolutely vital to us," Talabani said at the news conference.
"We too want to see an end to the presence of the multinational force, but the actions of the terrorists are keeping them there," Talabani said.
"We will set no timetable for the withdrawal of troops. A timetable will only help the terrorists think they can impose their will on us."
Blair said British troops would stay as long as they were requested by the Iraqi government. "They tell us what to do and when to go, and if they tell us to go, we go," he said.
Blair said it was vital that the international community continue to support Iraq's emerging democracy.
"This is a battle now for the future of Iraq, for the future of the region and, I believe, for the future security of the world," he said.
On Wednesday, a senior government official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said there was evidence that Iran was in contact with Sunni Muslim insurgent groups battling coalition forces. He did not specify whether the alleged Iranian technology also was responsible for American soldiers' deaths, according to Britain's Press Association.
Tehran's Foreign Ministry dismissed the accusations Wednesday, with a spokesman saying Britain should provide evidence of its claims, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency.
On Thursday, Blair appeared to back away slightly from the accusations made a day earlier.
"We know that the devices are of a similar nature to those used by Hezbollah, and there are certain pieces of information that lead us back to Iran," Blair said. "But I'm not saying any more than that — we cannot be sure of this."
Hezbollah was formed in 1982 with Iranian backing during Israel's invasion of Lebanon. It has been linked to the 1983 bombing of U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon.
It's estimated that Iran provides Hezbollah with $10-$20 million monthly.
©MMV CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
