Iran

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, DC –  On Thursday, October 2, 2008, coalition forces captured five suspected Iranian-backed illegal militia members during an operation in Baghdad's Rusafa neighborhood, military officials reported.

Based on intelligence information, coalition forces targeted a suspected senior leader believed to be involved in smuggling Iranian-supplied lethal aid into Iraq. He is believed to be a key facilitator in planning and conducting attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces, officials said.

By VOA News

Iranian state media say the country's supreme leader has urged President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to plan for a second four-year term in office.
 
It is the first time that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made such a strong public endorsement of Mr. Ahmadinejad, who faces re-election next year. The ayatollah has the final say on all the country's affairs.