Iran 'the victor in war on terror'

David Blair

Iran has replaced America as the most influential foreign power inside Iraq, seizing an opportunity created by the war against terrorism, a report says. The turmoil unleashed by the invasion of Iraq gave Teheran the chance to fill the void left by Saddam Hussein's downfall, says the survey from the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in London. It says that Iran has bought influence by sponsoring parties representing the Shia majority, about 60 per cent of the population. By manipulating these allies, it has "superseded the US as the most influential power there". The report adds: "There is little doubt that Iran has been the chief beneficiary of the war on terrorism in the Middle East"...

continua / continued