Iran rejects US claims of supplying weapons in Iraq
Rupert Cornwell in Washington
The officials displayed fragments of some of the weapons involved, claiming that those at the "highest levels" of government in Tehran were involved in arming Iraqi militants. But the fact that US forces were "showing some pieces of papers" and calling them documents proved nothing, the Iranian President said.
Mr Ahmadinejad's remarks came amid growing fears that the Bush administration was moving towards some form of military action against Iran, probably aimed at nuclear facilities involved in what Washington says is a programme to build an atomic weapon.
There were, however, signs that both sides are seeking to cool things down.
Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, was notably restrained, saying merely that "if the President of Iran wants to put a stop to it, we wish him luck and hope he'll do it real soon".
Mr Ahmadinejad also sounded less belligerent than usual, insisting he wanted dialogue, and arguing that turmoil in Iraq did not serve Iran's interests. "We shy away from any kind of conflict, any kind of bloodshed," he said. World problems could be solved through dialogue, logic "and a sense of friendship".