In Iraq, eight U.S. soldiers and four British troops have died over the past two days in what has been described as one of the bloodiest 48-hour periods for coalition forces in recent months. On Thursday, at least 49 Iraqis were also killed in shootings, bombings and mortar attacks across the country. Earlier today, at least 27 people were killed in a suicide bombing in the city of Ramadi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair suggested yesterday’s attack on British troops could have been carried out by elements linked to Iran.

Tony Blair: “Now it is far too early to say that the particular terrorist act that killed our forces was an act committed by terrorists who are backed by any elements of the Iranian regime. So I make no allegations with respect to that particular incident, but the general picture, as I’ve said before, is that there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, supporting terrorism in Iraq.”