Sophisticated Iranian-built bombs smuggled into Iraq have killed at least 170 US and allied soldiers since June 2004 and wounded 620 more, senior US defence officials said yesterday.

The US believes orders to send components for the bombs came from the "highest levels" of the Iranian government. Three coalition officials met reporters to point the finger at the Al-Qods Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, part of Tehran's elite forces accused of links with foreign militants. A senior defence analyst said US-led forces had evidence that Iran had stepped up shipments of EFPs, factory-built explosives designed to cut through armour, to armed Iraqi Shi'ite groups.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad marked the 28th anniversary of Iran's revolution yesterday pledging to pursue the country's nuclear programme but announcing no new atomic work that would have riled the West.

Ahmadinejad said he would keep within international regulations but still ruled out a UN demand to suspend uranium enrichment.

PHOTO CAPTION

This handout photo released by the US military shows an 81mm mortar round believed to be from Iran and found in Baghdad in January 2007. (AFP)

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