WASHINGTON, Feb 14: US President George Bush said on Wednesday he had evidence to prove that Iran was supplying weapons to Iraqi militias but he did not know if this was ordered by the “top echelons” of the Iranian government.

At a White House news conference, Mr Bush also rejected the suggestion to hold one-to-one meetings with Iranian leaders, saying he would only do so if Iran is willing to give up nuclear weapons.

“What we do know is that the Quds Force was instrumental in providing these deadly improvised explosive devices to networks inside of Iraq,” said Mr Bush while talking about a US military report earlier this week which blamed Iran for arming Iraqi militias.

“And we also know that the Quds Force is a part of the Iranian government,” he said.

Asked to comment on his general’s statement, Mr Bush supported the military report but said he did not know if the Iranian government was also involved in the alleged shipment of weapons to Iraq.

“I do not know whether or not the Quds Force was ordered from the top echelons of government. But my point is: What's worse -- them ordering it and it happening, or them not ordering it and it's happening?” he asked.

At the news conference, a reporter reminded Mr Bush that his critics blame his administration for using the same quality of intelligence about Iran that he used to make the case for war in Iraq — specifically about weapons of mass destruction — that turned out to be wrong. “The critics also said that you are doing that to make a case for war against Iran,” the reporter said.

Mr Bush said he was not making a case for war but he would protect US soldiers in Iraq because weapons sent from Iran were used against them.

“And to say it is provoking Iran is just a wrong way to characterise the commander in chief's decision to do what is necessary to protect our soldiers in harm's way,” he said.