They say that began with several smaller attempts by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon to supply arms and was cemented in the Moscow meeting.

The groups that do conduct some military operations inside Iraq are Iranian-backed Shiite groups whose goals scarcely coincide with American interests.

These include an influential Iranian-backed Islamic Shiite group.

The political considerations have a central bearing on the continued detention of Western hostages by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon.

A10 Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite group, has established a significant presence in Iraq, but it is not taking part in the attacks on American forces.

Israeli planes and helicopters carried out three attacks on bases of an Iranian-backed Muslim fundamentalist group in southern Lebanon today, killing four people.

Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In an exchange of fire, five members of the Iranian-backed group were killed.

The use of the word Hezbollah has nothing to do with the Iranian-backed Lebanese group of that name.

Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist group, appears to be the dominant group in the area.