Posted on 06/06/2007 4:47:58 PM PDT by Danae
NATO officials say they have caught Iran red-handed, shipping heavy arms, C4 explosives and advanced roadside bombs to the Taliban for use against NATO forces, in what the officials say is a dramatic escalation of Iran's proxy war against the United States and Great Britain.
"It is inconceivable that it is anyone other than the Iranian government that's doing it," said former White House counterterrorism official Richard Clarke, an ABC News consultant.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stopped short earlier this week of blaming Iran, saying the U.S. did not have evidence "of the involvement of the Iranian government in support of the Taliban."
But an analysis by a senior coalition official, obtained by the Blotter on ABCNews.com, concludes there is clear evidence of Iran's involvement.
"This is part of a considered policy," says the analysis, "rather than the result of low-level corruption and weapons smuggling."
Iran and the Taliban had been fierce enemies when the Taliban was in power in Afghanistan, and their apparent collaboration came as a surprise to some in the intelligence community.
"I think their goal is to make it very clear that Iran has the capability to make life worse for the United States on a variety of fronts," said Seth Jones of the Rand Institute, "even if they have to do some business with a group that has historically been their enemy."
The coalition analysis says munitions recovered in two Iranian convoys, on April 11 and May 3, had "clear indications that they originated in Iran. Some were identical to Iranian supplied goods previously discovered in Iraq."
The April convoy was tracked from Iran into Helmand province and led a fierce firefight that destroyed one vehicle, according to the official analysis. A second vehicle was reportedly found to contain small arms ammunition, mortar rounds and more than 650 pounds of C4 demolition charges.
A second convoy of two vehicles was spotted on May 3 and led to the capture of five occupants and the seizure of RPG-7mm rockets and more than 1,000 pounds of C4, the analysis says.
Also among the munitions are components for the lethal EFPs, or explosive formed projectiles, the roadside bombs that U.S. officials say Iran has provided to Iraqi insurgents with deadly results.
"These clearly have the hallmarks of the Iranian Revolution Guards' Quds force," said Jones.
The coalition diplomatic message says the demolition charges "contained the same fake U.S. markings found on explosives recovered from insurgents operating in the Baghdad area."
"We believe these intercepted munitions are part of a much bigger flow of support from Iran to the Taliban," the message says.
The Taliban receives larger supplies of weapons through profits from opium dealing, officials say, but the Iranian presence could be significant.
"It means the insurgency in Afghanistan is likely to be prolonged," said Jones. "It would be a much more potent force."
President Bush will launch the Air and Naval war against the terrorist regime Iran before he leaves office, and I layed out the scenario that I envision how it going to be in post # 72.
I agree, hook in the jaw.
Agree but if the Iranian people rise up against the mullahs after taking advantage of weakened regime because the Air War the US launched against the regime, do not you think that in this case we should provide some support to the Iranians to make sure them succeed. I am not talking about ground troops because this requires a million troop to do, but keep the Air and Naval assault on what ever oppressive tools the terrorists mullahs still have.
As much as I respect you, I don’t think you appreciate fully how weak our military resolve has become because of the liberals constant undermining of our security efforts.
We should be bombing Iran 24x7 until they stand down.
Regarding nation building in Iran if it comes to that...I totally agree that it would be foolish to try in Iran what we have attempted and are failing to do in Iraq.
The Iranian people are much more educated and self sufficient than the Iraqi people were at the time of regime change. A large majority of the Iranian population is under 30 years old and will be far better off to figure out how to create a more moderate government than they currently have.
Hopefully we have learned that we can no longer occupy these countries or try to craft a US-like government with a hands-on approach. This should not stop us from bombing their nuclear and conventional weapons factories immediately though. Wouldn’t it be a joy to see the people rise up and purge the Ayatollahs from power as a result!
Agree 100%.
“happening inside Iraq long before”
So you think that covert operations are working secretly inside Iran?
I hope that they are.
But, what about all the weapons that are being shipped from Iran to kill our guys now?
So, who's watching American Idol tonight?
“What will be the media reports after Iran nukes Israel?”
Maybe this: If only Bush had been more sensitive to Islamic culture and tried to talk to the terrorists this would not have happened.
Once again America is to blame for another international tragedy.
We must declare Sharia Law in the US and publicly execute Bush as a gesture of good faith so that they will stop trying to hurt us.
Why would this come as a surprise to people in intelligence? The enemy of my enemy is my friend!!!!!
Can you imagine if weapons and explosives were being delivered from the USA to Iranian dissidents that the media would accept uncritically the idea that there is no evidence that these were being provided by the Bush Administration, so it’s not Bush’s responsibility?
It’s pathetic when Bush gets blamed for idiotically remote problems (prison abuse in Baghdad, hurricane in LA), but the Iranians don’t get blamed for anything despite waging open war on us.
Bush talked real big, eh? What a disaster he has become.
...but other than that, what has Iran done to anyone? ;’)
Then obviously we need to respond in kind. Maybe by bunker busting their nuclear facilities?
Sanctions and a Vote of no Confidence at the UN should straighten them out. yup
Everyone to whome this was a suprise should have their clearances revoked and kicked to the curb where they can get jobs more appropriate to their analytical skill.
Perhaps they find something where the toughest question they will encounter is, "would you like fries with that?"
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