Document: Iran Caught Red-Handed Shipping Arms to Taliban

The Blotter ^ | 6-6-07 | Brian Ross and Christopher Isham

[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."

[pissant]

I’ll be happy to give the orders, if they won’t and take full responsibility.

[elhombrelibre]

Supplying an insurgency in Iran is the least we can and should do.

[unspun]

If Russia and Iran ally any closer at all, I suggest FReepers take a look into Biblical prophesy regarding "Rosh," "Tubal," "Gog," and "Magog."

In fact, I suggest you do it, now.

[wildbill]

The Dems say all we have to do is open a dialogue with these folks and they will see reason.

Is anyone else out there scared to death by these wussie nincompoops?

[Cinnamon]

Our government will do something about it. yup. sad ain’t it? they could shove a nuke up our rear end and I doubt anything would be done. We are too scared to engage in a world war of WWII proportions. *yawn*

[glock rocks]

they could shove a nuke up our rear end

When the islamofascists wrest control of Pakistan, this will be a real possibility, Iran aside.

[doug from upland]

Okay, it is time for all the members of NATO to get behind it, and the Cruise Missiles need to fall like rain.

[NonValueAdded]

Ya know, the cyclone is the perfect opportunity to let the Iranians know how Allah really feels about them. Psy Ops meets ballistic trajectory.

[fanfan]

Just a general “heads up” Canada ping.

[mrmargaritaville]

SO WHAT! Neither George Bush nor NATO are going to do a damn thing about it. Hey maybe the should go to the UN and get some sanctions put in place-wow that will really intimidate the Iranians.

[RDTF]

Brian Ross is a good investigative reporter, but his liberal views cloud his work. This time it’s worth reading.

[generalhammond]

Sadly, the reality is that the president has zilch credibility with the media brainwashed sheeples if/when he denounces Iran for this. The UN will be weak as usual, the Demoncrats will be silent and Iran will play games even more boldly with soldier’s lives.

[RDTF]

Did you read the comment section at the link? Plenty of people drunk on anti-Bush Koolaid there.

[familyop]

"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.'"

Will Iran's American defense corner rest its case with that, or does it have more up its sleeve?

[Son House]

“clear indications that they originated in Iran

Destroy the manufacturing plants without delay, no country should
be allowed to manufacture and supply the enemy while our
Troops are in a war.

[dr_who_2]

Another protracted cold war begins, and we have no one to blame for it but ourselves.

[SevenMinusOne]

No. It’s called a brain & not simply jumping to childish (sky is falling) conclusions....simply because the MSM isn’t reporting (or aware) of what actions are taking place in the black....

[Marine_Uncle]

Sure looks like they where caught with their pants down on this one.
The reality however is we will not be in the position to do much if anything about it. I can't see us going to war status over these issues, regardless of how badly many of us would like to see Iran get a real bloody nose or worse.
But surely some covert actions could be taken in the way of blowing up some of their facilities to show them they will not get away with this stuff without any retributions.
But even that is petty in some respects. We know Ahmadinejah plays both sides of the cards, on one hand he does whatever he pleases that he feels he can get away with, and on the other hand always holds the 12^th Iman's return as an end goal. And obviously we have the major key Mullahs allowing him to continue to consolidate his power, as long as he plays their puppet on a string.
Does the US really want to vastly disturbed the worlds oil markets by direct invasion (war or un-declared pre-emptive naval air strikes), or does this administration and the one that will follow simply want to hope continued pressures on the Iranian government will lead to regime change.
We certainly are alone for the most part on this issue. No one else has the guts to side with us other then play their petty toothless for the most part sanctions, that have little effect directly on the regime. After all. The Mullahs may lose billions, but they sure as hell are not going to lose their limos and racks of lamb any time in the future. They will continue to live in luxury for the most part if desired to do so. The little nut will continue to play the big man. Russia and China will not side with us on anything of value.
The Europeans don't have the guts to side with us in a meaningful way. So I don't see anything of significance coming out of this whole affair.
We can spend millions per week to keep our fleet in the region to protect oil/gas shipping but that is about it.
And the Iranians have no reason to disturb the shipping lanes. After all it is their life blood to sell their oil.
So nothing will improve regarding Iran IMHO.

[elhombrelibre]

Yes, I read some. This is what I blame the Democrats and the Left for. They’ve poisoned the politics of America so much that a clearly dangerous regime like Iran gets the benefit of the doubt from the Left’s followers while the US and other democracies are not believed. Iran, al Qaeda, and the Taliban are now the Left’s heroes.

[unixfox]

Is anyone else out there scared to death by these wussie nincompoops?

I'm just glad I won't be old enough to see our whole country completely lost. The sheeple sleep.