The United States has accused Iran of taking 'insufficient' steps to check the spread of Al Qaeda.

"We are pressing them (Iranians) not to harbour terrorists," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said in Washington.

He was sceptical about Tehran's claim of having checked the spread of terrorist outfits. "We continue to have concerns about the presence of Al Qaeda in Iran," Fleischer said.

He dismissed the Iranian contention that its nuclear programme was meant to meet power needs. "We continue to have concerns that a nation that is awash in gas and oil would seek to produce peaceful nuclear energy," he said.

In New York, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned Iran that efforts to try to remake Iraq in Iran's image will be 'aggressively put down'.

"Assistance from Iraq's neighbours will be welcomed," he told the Council on Foreign Relations. "Conversely, interference in Iraq by its neighbours or their proxies will not be permitted."

Meanwhile, state department spokesman Richard Boucher has said the Iranian government did not represent the people of the country.

"There are people in Iran who are calling for a more democratic system, including demonstrators... We side with them in terms of wanting more democracy and more openness," Boucher said.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 13 Sub: US is trying to play the dirty game all over again with Iran. The methods of the Bush Govt. have become all too obvious. Give a dog a bad name and hang it. It is saying that there ... Posted by Saikumar Bajana Sub: Biggest Terrorist Well, there's nothing new in the latest accusation. But it's incredible to see how USA points fingers at other countries shamelessly, while simultaneously going ahead ... Posted by Navs Sub: US-bashing Whatever criticims is raised against the US (especially the obsolete Marxian intelluctuals whose last remnant is people like Arundathi Roy), noone can deny the fact ... Posted by Sathyameva Jayathe Sub: Then change the regime there too. "There are people in Iran who are calling for a more democratic system, including demonstrators... We side with them in terms of wanting more democracy ... Posted by p chandra Sub: Is this Beginning of End for Theocracy? Incompetent people take people for a ride by hidding their true deeds under the garb of theocracy. Will world be a better place after the ... Posted by Munish