He suggested that the chaos in Iraq would end only after Iraqis are able to choose their own government. But Iranian defiance at the end of a three-day gathering of foreign ministers from the Organization of the Islamic Conference was tempered by concern that the country could be the next target of the Bush administration.

The Iranians took the unusual step of circulating a statement to all delegations denying that it is developing nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction.

The United States has contended that Iran is developing nuclear weapons under the cover of its civilian nuclear program. It has also suggested that Iran may be harboring militants who played a role in the May 12 suicide bombings against Western targets in Saudi Arabia. A debate is raging within the administration over policy toward Iran.

The Iranian foreign minister was vehement in his criticism. "They are looking for escape routes to justify their failure so far," Kharrazi said at a news conference "The Americans have not been successful in creating law and order in Iraq."

The foreign minister echoed statements made repeatedly this week and emphasized again at Friday prayers - a crucial public barometer in the Islamic republic - that the United States was trumping up allegations in order to pursue its goal of dominating the region and its oil supplies.

But in the light of such statements and general unease in the Islamic world over America's presence in Iraq, the final communique of the meeting read far more mildly than expected. The resolution, some delegates noted, did not condemn the occupation of Iraq outright.

"Caution is the word today," a senior Arab diplomat said. "There were three countries on the 'Axis of Evil' list, and one of them is already finished," he added, noting the irony of a day spent on discussions about Iraq with no Iraqi delegate present. "All in all, the theme here is moderation."

Kharrazi suggested that a referendum should be held in Iraq to allow its inhabitants to choose the next government. But this proposal was not included among the pan-Islamic concerns listed in the final statement from the 57-member organization.

The paragraph on Iraq hewed closely to the line established in the most recent U.N. resolution: keeping Iraq whole and re-establishing it as a sovereign nation. The Islamic nations said the U.S. occupation should end as quickly as possible.

The United States has maintained a steady drumbeat of charges against Iran in recent weeks, accusing it of trying to foster an Islamic revolution next door in Iraq and developing nuclear weapons.

Kharrazi said the Americans should stop threatening Iran and trying to interfere in its internal affairs.

He also denied that Iran was interfering in Iraq, calling such reports "baseless."

Iraqi social organizations helping to organize various cities should be applauded, not condemned, he insisted. He did not identify them directly but was evidently referring to prominent Shiite Muslim organizations that the United States suspects are acting as a front for Iran's interests.

He also said the al-Qaida operatives Iran has in custody were arrested before the May 12 suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia and couldn't have been involved in the attacks.

"There is no possibility that they were able to do any (bombing) operation, nor could they lead these kind of military operations," Kharrazi said.

U.S. officials on Friday said Kharrazi's remarks didn't contradict their assertions that al-Qaida operatives in Iran have been directing terrorist operations in Saudi Arabia, East Africa and elsewhere.

Said one official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "It's the ones who aren't in jail that are the problem."