Osama bin Laden's deputy on Tuesday denied a theory that Israel carried out the Sept. 11 attacks and blamed Iran and Lebanon's Hizbullah for spreading the idea to discredit al-Qaeda's strike against the U.S.
The remarks in a recording posted on an Islamic Web site reflected the increasing criticism by al-Qaeda's No. 2 leader Dr. Ayman al-Zawahri against Iran. Al-Zawahri has accused Iran in recent messages of seeking to extend its power in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and through the Lebanon-based Hizbullah.
It was the second of two messages answering questions that were posted to Islamic Web sites earlier this year.
One of the questioners asked about the theory that has circulated in the Middle East and elsewhere that Israel was behind the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Al-Zawahri accused Hizbullah's Al-Manar television of starting the rumor.
"The purpose of this lie is clear - (to suggest) that there are no heroes among the Sunnis who can hurt America as no else did in history. Iranian media snapped up this lie and repeated it," al Qaeda No. 2 said. "Iran's aim here is also clear - to cover up its involvement with America in invading the homes of Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq," he said.
In the tape, Dr. al-Zawahri was also asked if al Qaeda had further plans to attack Western countries that participated in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and subsequent war. "My answer is: Yes! We think that any country that has joined aggression on Muslims must be deterred," he replied.
