Iran 'creates Shiite state within a state' in Iraq

Washington: Iran has effectively created a Shiite "state within a state" in Iraq providing both logistical support of armed groups and funds for social programmes, The Washington Times reported yesterday.

The newspaper cited a 40-page security report commissioned by the Saudi government. It said Iranian military forces are providing Shiite militias with weapons and training and that Tehran is actively supporting pro-Iranian Iraqi politicians, the Times said.

"Where the Americans have failed, the Iranians have stepped in," it said.

The report described the Badr organisation, the armed wing of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI], as the "key vehicle Iran is using to achieve its military security and intelligence aims."

The study was compiled by the Saudi National Security Assessment Project, a group commissioned to provide security and intelligence assessments to the Saudi government, it said.