Iran blames violent extremism on "certain intelligence agencies"

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani blamed the rise of violent extremism on "certain states" and on unidentified "intelligence agencies" and said it was up to the region to find a solution to the problem.

In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday (September 25) he said extremism is a global problem, and that "certain states have helped creating it and are now failing to withstand it."

In what was seen as veiled reference to Israel and the United States, he blamed the rise of violent extremists on outside influences.

"Certain intelligence agencies have put blades in the hand of madmen, who now spare no one. All those who have played a role in founding and supporting these terror groups must acknowledge their errors," Rouhani said.

"The right solution to this quandary comes from within the region and regionally provided solution with international support and not from the outside the region," he said.