World | Iran Osama Deputy Says Iran Lying About 9/11 He accuses Tehran of giving Israel credit to diminish al-Qaeda By Jonas Oransky Posted Apr 22, 2008 4:00 PM CDT Copied This image released by IntelCenter on Wednesday May 23, 2007, purportedly shows Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, presenting a eulogy for a slain Afghan Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah. (AP Photo/via IntelCenter) Al-Qaeda's No. 2 leader says Iran is denying the terrorist group credit for 9/11 by spreading the rumor that Israel masterminded the 2001 attacks on the US. A new audiotape from Ayman al-Zawahiri highlights the growing tension between al-Qaeda and Tehran, the BBC reports, evidence of a sectarian struggle for power in the region. “The purpose of this lie is clear—[to suggest] that there are no heroes among the Sunnis who can hurt America as no-one else did in history,” said Zawahiri. He also knocked Shia-dominated Iran for collaborating with the US, and accused Tehran of spreading lies to “cover up its involvement with America in invading the homes of Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq.” Read These Next Multiple people have been shot at a Mormon church in Michigan. North Carolina shooting suspect once walked the red carpet. Locals are furious about the planned demolition of a landmark bridge. The gunman who killed 4 at a Michigan church was an ex-marine. Report an error