미국은 최근 이라크 카발라시에서 발생한 공격으로 미군병사 5명이 사망한 사건과 관련해, 이란이 개입했을 가능성을 놓고 조사중이라고 미국의 언론들이 보도하고 있습니다.
뉴욕 타임스신문과 CNN등 미국 언론들은 익명의 미 정부 관계자들의 말을 인용해, 국방부가 지난 20일 미 군기지에서 발생한 공격이 이란인들, 또는 이란인들에게 훈련받은 테러분자들의 소행인지 여부를 조사중이라고 전했습니다.
앞서 미군당국은 공격범들이 미군복장을 착용하고 미군병력이 사용하는 것과 비슷한 차량을 운전하는등 이번 공격이 매우 조직적이었다고 밝힌 바 있습니다.
미국은 최근 이라크에서 고조되고 있는 종파간 갈등과 유혈 폭력사태에 이란이 개입돼 있다고 비난하고 있습니다
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U.S. media reports say the United States is investigating possible Iranian involvement in a recent attack in the Iraqi city of Karbala, in which five American soldiers were killed.
The reports (in the New York Times and CNN television) cited unnamed U.S. government officials as saying the Defense Department is trying to determine whether the January 20th attack on a U.S. military compound was carried out by Iranians or Iranian-trained operatives.
Earlier, the U.S. military said the attack was well coordinated, with assailants dressed in U.S. military-style uniforms and driving vehicles similar to those used by U.S. troops.
U.S. officials say the sophistication of the attack led to doubts that Iraqi insurgents could have planned it on their own.
The United States has accused Iran of involvement in escalating sectarian and insurgent violence in Iraq. Iran denies the charge.
Speaking in an interview with ABC News Tuesday, President Bush said the United States is not planning to invade Iran, although such an option remains open.
Earlier this week, Mr. Bush said the United States will "respond firmly" if Iran escalates its military activities in Iraq to kill American troops or Iraqi civilians.
The president has authorized U.S. forces to kill or capture Iranian agents plotting attacks in Iraq.