Iran says Bush is 'ungrateful'

Kharrazi reportedly told Bush to prove his 'axis of evil' accusations

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Calling U.S. President George W. Bush "ungrateful" for Iran's help in establishing the new government in Afghanistan, a Iranian government official rejected Bush's State of the Union allegation linking Tehran to terrorism.

"We are used to this type of cliché statements by the United States, and also the arrogance that is associated with the statement," said Javad Zarif, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister on Thursday.

"But what was not expected, and is a source of shock, is for the United States president to have such a short memory and forget what has happened in the last three months in Afghanistan."

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Zarif said it was "a source of concern " that Bush "is so ungrateful to the work that has been done by people who were instrumental in getting rid of the Taliban."

In the Tuesday night speech, Bush named Iran, Iraq and North Korea as being part of an "axis of evil, aiming to threaten the peace of the world" by developing weapons of mass destruction.

The U.S. president said the countries listed pose a "grave and growing danger" by seeking such weapons, which could be provided to terrorists.

"We have asked the United States to provide us with that evidence, and we have not seen any forthcoming," Zarif told CNN.

He said the charge was "implausible" and was a fabrication of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to justify Israel's actions against the Palestinians.

"Iran is a victim of terrorism," Zarif said, adding Iran has been playing its role in the campaign against terrorism.

He said claims that Iran provides military support to terrorist groups are "erroneous" and "simply not true."

"There is no reason whatsoever that we should support or help any Taliban or al Qaeda people," he said.

Zarif was expanding on the reaction a day earlier from Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, who said Bush's remarks were "arrogant" and were considered an interference in the country's internal affairs.

Iraq's vice president has also criticized the comments. Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said Wednesday the statement was "stupid" and "does not befit the leader of the biggest state in the world."

North Korea has not commented on Bush's speech.

"Understanding that these statements do not represent reality, we should not be threatened by the language that he has used," Zarif said.

"There is no truth to these allegations and these allegations are simply made in order to satisfy certain quarters."