(AP)
Updated: 2007-08-29 10:22

In a move that could further strain US-Iranian relations, US troops raided a Baghdad hotel Tuesday night and detained about 10 people, including six whom a US-funded radio station described as members of an Iranian delegation visiting to negotiate contracts with the Iraqis.

The Iranian Embassy said seven Iranians - an embassy employee and six members of a delegation from Iran's Electricity Ministry - were staying at the Sheraton Ishtar Hotel.

Iran has been vehemently protesting the detention of five Iranians by US troops in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in January. US authorities have said the five included the operations chief and other members of Iran's elite Quds Force, which is accused of arming and training Iraqi militants.

Iran describes the five, who remain in US custody, as diplomats.

Washington has accused Tehran of being behind attacks on US troops in Iraq - a claim al-Maliki's government has only partially backed, saying Iran could have a role in the attacks. Iran has denied the charges.

Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of any US military action against Iran, saying Washington has no plan and is not in a position to take such action.

As Ahmadinejad spoke, fighting between rival Shiite factions in southern Iraq raised new fears that a pullout by British troops there could lead to chaos. The clashes appeared to be part of a struggle for power of southern Iraqi Shia heartland, which includes the bulk of the country's vast oil wealth.

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