Posted on 01/13/2007 4:51:40 PM PST by TexKat
President George W Bush has ordered US forces to launch a military offensive against Iranian officials and Revolutionary Guards officers behind a support and funding network for anti-American fighters in Iraq.
US troops have been authorised to use force to tackle Teheran's agents, who are believed to support both Shia and Sunni fighters
Mr Bush signed the clandestine directive after he was given new intelligence on the scale of Iranian operations to foment violence in Iraq.
US troops were operating under the new instructions when they raided an Iranian "liaison office" in northern Iraq last week, detaining five men, in the latest showdown with Teheran's agents.
The swoop, which was condemned by Iran and its political allies in Iraq, came less than two weeks after a senior Revolutionary Guards commander was seized in another raid near Baghdad with documents linked to the bloodshed. It has fuelled fears of direct armed clashes between US forces and Iranian operatives.
In a further development, US intelligence has learnt that the Shia-led Islamic regime is backing Sunni insurgents in Iraq, as well as the murderous militia operated by its fellow Shia clerics.
"Mr Bush signed the clandestine directive after he was given new intelligence on the scale of Iranian operations to foment violence in Iraq."
I'm all for this and a sustained bombing campaign against Iran, but who in the hell in their right mind would leak this if it was a clandestine directive?
"fueled fears of direct armed clashes between US forces and Iranian operatives."
Oh no not direct armed clashes between US forces and Iranian operatives", anything but that.
Smite them.
US forces turn on Iranians ping!
They are supporting the Sunni terrorists as well?
I'd put that on as the lead news story as Iraqi TV and radio so the Mahdi Army knows who they are really partnering with.
And, yes, they should be closing all of Iran's embassies and offices and searching every pilgrimage bus from Iran at the border.
Iran practices the enemy of my enemy theory.
Iran should look at this as a preview of coming attractions.
Watch your ass Iran, you're next!
Iran is supporting both Sunni and Shia insurgents? How interesting.
This is not a civil war. This a war of Iran, a bunch of Iraqi outcasts (both Shia and Sunni) and Al Qaeda against mostly 25 million innocent Iraqi citizens and our precious soldiers.
The Iraqi government, their 350K troops and their police(for the most part) will fall in on the right side.
It will be interesting to see what Iran's responce to this will be. They already don't care that we know they're shipping military hardware into Iraq for use againt US troops. They are already taking a major risk with that, perhaps now they'll go even further, perhaps trying to create an incident at sea or sending special forces into Iraq to try and take out a high value target while posed as Iraqi insurgents.
Of course Iran is supporting Sunni terrorists. Osama's son is living quietly in Iran.
"My enemy's enemy is my friend."
I think this has been a long time in coming..........
5.56mm
Better late than never :)!
Interesting isn't it.
I'd put that on as the lead news story as Iraqi TV and radio so the Mahdi Army knows who they are really partnering with.
Notice how the Sunni insurgents and the Mahdi Army never seem to target each other. They each only target the innocent defenseless of the other sect...you know the ones at the market or at the University.
What a bunch of pathetic little cowards.
I don't think so. Congress is talking about pulling the plug for funding Iraq.
If this is true it is about time, but probably too late.
How is your soldier doing?
Thugs with a prayer mat.
Some speculate that Osama himself is in Western Iran.
Maybe to gauge the public reaction? Who knows, but I doubt that there are any real secrets in the ME..
A sustained attack against Iran may be a way to rally morale amongst the troops. I think we should have dealt with Iran two years ago. Saddam is dead, the Baathists are out of power, we need to focus on the real source of violence. If the admin. needs a legacy, this presents a real opportunity for them.
"Clandestine"? Methinks not so much.
"Military secrets are the most fleeting". - Mr. Spock of Star Trek
Sounds like the Iranians have been playing both sides up the middle.
He says that like we were the best of friends 'til now.
I hope that you still have the candles burning!
I like that. Good one!
NYT, European desk. I'm saying, It's about time!
It's a good thing.
The only people that would "fear" that are the Iranians and the NYT.
If the Iranian operatives are in Iraq why havent they been taken on before. They need killing.
I would say things are about to get bad for Iranians in Iraq, i fthey are smart they might start looking for a better vacation location.
Stick that in you ear Ahmapantsload.
This is true. But in addition to being a morale booster, a sustained air campaign against Iran would A) Stop and or prevent the flow of support for the insurgency from Iran and B) Destroy the infrastructure of the Iranian military and industry to eliminate their war-fighting capabilities for further conflicts that will likely occur otherwise. I was disappointed about sending a mere 20,000 troops at first but then again this was the MSM line and I had to dig to see that there were additional changes to our strategy. My hopes are up since the Iranian factor is now being seriously looked at. Unfortunately, this angle won't be discussed by the dinosaurs.
There's nothing worse than a bunch of turned-on Iranians.
What a bunch of homos.
It is time we stop playing the "Patsy" with them. It is no great secret that Iran is behind much of the "insurgents" thru supplies, manpower, etc.
We shouldn't have to pretend to be dumb and blind! Who are we anyhow?
We may have the World's Most Powerful Army, and yet so politically inept in handling the result of use!
Could we just drop some really big bombs ?
Here's another dee-bag.
Who else in DC is for the War on Terror besides Bush?
In other words, iran fomenting civil war.
The U.S. should bomb and totally destroy Iran's nuclear sites, oil pipelines, and oil wells. This would eliminate the nuclear threat from Iran, bankrupt the country, force regime change, eliminate Iran's ability to support terrorists and insurgents, and send a clear message to other rogue regime's such as Syria and North Korea. Right now, our troops are being killed with the help of Iran and Syria.
At the same time, the Democrats are trying to undermine President Bush and our troops, because they think if the United States loses in Iraq that will help them win the White House in 2008.
Yep and in additional words, Mahdi Army Shiites (and Fatboy) alligned with Sunni's and Persians, killing innocent Shiites in Iraqi shopping at markets.
maybe we should threaten to take out all of Iran's oil facilities thereby cutting off their main revenue as well as their nuclear sites...unless they completely stop all nuke and terrorism activities.
'Had to read that twice, but LOL!
This is the path to finishing this thing.
Lets hope they follow the road now.
You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats women.
And we all know how Muslims treat their women.
Thanks, I did forget a few others from the retreat-now crowd!
"Who else in DC is for the War on Terror besides Bush?"
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bump
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