Osama bin Laden's chief deputy on Tuesday denied a theory that Israel carried out the Sept. 11 attacks and blamed Iran and Shiite Hezbollah for spreading the idea to discredit the Sunni al-Qaida's strike against the U.S.

Al-Zawahri accused Hezbollah's Al-Manar television of starting the rumor.

"The purpose of this lie is clear—(to suggest) that there are no heroes among the Sunnis who can hurt America as no else did in history. Iranian media snapped up this lie and repeated it," he said.

"Iran's aim here is also clear—to cover up its involvement with America in invading the homes of Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq," he said.

RELATED TOPICS: Iraq | Al-Qa'eda | 9/11 Truthers | Ahmadinejad | Humor | ALL TOPICS

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