The United States has “irrefutable” evidence that Iran is transferring weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan with the knowledge of the Iranian government, a senior US diplomat said today.

Iraq’s foreign minister welcomed the release today of 15 British sailors and marines but said the decision was not the result of a deal to release five Iranians detained by the US in Iraq.

Iraq’s foreign minister has demanded that Iran release 15 British sailors and marines, saying they had been detained in Iraqi waters and were operating with government consent.

A Foreign Office minister held fresh crisis talks with the Iranian ambassador today in a bid to secure the release of 15 Royal Navy personnel.

Efforts are continuing today to secure the release of 15 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines seized by Iranian patrol boats off the coast of Iraq.

British foreign secretary Margaret Beckett has demanded Iran provide a "full explanation" for the detention of 15 British servicemen seized in Iraqi waters.

Serial numbers and other markings on bombs suggest Iran is supplying deadly explosives to Iraqi militants, US defence secretary Robert Gates says.

The White House said today that Iranians are aiding the insurgency in Iraq and that the US has the authority to pursue them because they “put our people at risk.”

Hezbollah guerrillas who are bombarding Israel with missiles are being helped by members of Iran’s revolutionary guards, Israel said tonight.

Hezbollah guerrillas who are bombarding Israel with missiles are being helped by members of Iran’s revolutionary guards, Israel said tonight.