"It has long been believed that Iran has held in custody a number of bin Laden's children since they fled Afghanistan following the U.S.-led invasion of that country in 2001 — most notably Saad and Hamza bin Laden, who are thought to have held positions in al-Qaida."
to use them as bargaining chips, if they needed leverage with the US.
Al is notorious for causing havoc wherever they go. They could be ensuring that they have some control over the leadership to make sure that they do not cause trouble at home.
“why would Iran be AGAINST al-qaida if BOTH of their goals were the same?”
Sunni (led by Saudi, al Qaida) vs Shia (led by Iran).
They kill each other AT LEAST as much as they kill us.
This is their middle ages, with massive wars between themselves. God forbid they ever got nukes. They ARE in the middle ages.
“the enemy of my enemy is my friend”
temporary alliance, or “truce” between Iran and the shia-hating al Qaeda
that doesn’t mean that one friend (Iran) - in exchange for certain...”favors” to the other friend (physical sanctuary to al Qaeda VIP’s from US attack or capture) - doesn’t take control of the operation
Just look at what the europeans (and now under Barry, the USA) would be willing to do for Iran if Iran could guarantee it had a leash on al Qaeda’s top planners
Iran is Shiite and AQ is Sunni/wahabi. The scedaddled to Iran right before 911 and the Mullahs didn’t want them to infect their “perfect” Islamic Regime. The son we just ventilated (with extreme prejudice) earlier this year was also held there for a time until the smoke cleared. He went to Pak and we gave him a smack.
Iran is Shia, and Al Qaeda is Sunni. While Iran is all for anyone who is fighting the US and the west, they have kept Saad bin Laden under house arrest as a way to maintain influence on Osama as well as Saudi Arabia.
It is speculated that Saad (Obama’s most militant son among many) has actually maintained contact with his dad and is still involved in Al Qaeda to the extent his Iranian ‘handlers’ allow him.
Different varieties of Islam.
To Shia Moslems Sunni are polytheists/infidels/heretics who pervert the true religion revealed by Allah to Mohammad and are masquerading as Moslems and have to be exterminated.
Any cooperation between the two major branches of the Death cult will be short-term and will probably end in one side treacherously sticking a knife in the back of the other. This doesn't mean they can't cooperate in the short-term against common enemies, but don't expect an alliance to last.