It’s been of course a matter of great concern to us that Iran has and there’s no secret about this they have provided lethal equipment to some of the Shia and militia groups and I believe they are continuing to do that, Downer said at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in California.
And in the end, encouraging that sort of behaviour, encouraging insurgent activities, I’ve explained to the Iranians is not going to be in their long-term best interest, he said.
Rice told reporters that Iran was supporting groups that are violent and are causing deaths of innocents.
Touching on the standoff over Tehrans sensitive nuclear projects, Downer said that if Iran developed nuclear weapons, the consequences for the whole Middle East would be horrific.
So we join with the international community in trying to discourage Iran from continuing down the path that it’s following, he added.
