July 06, 2007
The Financial Times
Stephen Fidler in London
Evidence that Iranian territory is being used as a base by al-Qaeda to help in terrorist operations in Iraq and elsewhere is growing, say western officials. It is not clear how much the al-Qaeda operation, described by one official as a money and communications hub, is being tolerated or encouraged by the Iranian government, they said.
The group’s operatives, who link the al-Qaeda leadership in Pakistan with their disciples in Iraq, the Levant and North Africa, move with relative freedom in the country, they said.
The officials said the creation of some kind of al-Qaeda hub in Iran appears to be separate from the group of seven senior al-Qaeda figures, including Saad bin Laden, son of the group’s figurehead, that Iran is said to have detained since 2002.
A senior US official said the information had produced different assessments. “The most conservative, cautious intelligence assessment is that [the Iranian authorities] are turning a blind eye. But there are a lot of doubts about that,” he said.
“They are benefiting from the mayhem that AQ is carrying out. They don’t have to deal with al-Qaeda to benefit.”
Yet while Tehran might be content with the pressure al-Qaeda is placing on the US occupation in Iraq, Iran, as a state based on Shia Islam surrounded by mainly Sunni countries, has long been wary of al-Qaeda’s fierce brand of Sunni Islam.
A former Iranian official said Iran feared al-Qaeda and did not want to distract it from Iraq, dismissing any idea that Iran was supplying it with weapons. “Our relationship with al-Qaeda, at an intelligence level, can be said to be successful as long as they are at a distance,” he said.
Analysts say several Sunni extremist groups, some presumed linked to al-Qaeda and from various ethnic groups including Kurds, are in Iran. US-led military action in Iraq has led some to seek refuge over the border.
In the past, Tehran has also been a target of al-Qaeda attacks. A militant Sunni group based in Pakistan and possibly linked to al-Qaeda was suspected of the 1994 bombing of the shrine of the seventh Shia Imam, Reza, in Mashhad, killing 26 people.
Iran has also shown growing concern over Jundullah, a radical Sunni group from the restive south-east area of Balucestan that has carried out violent attacks in recent years.
Three years ago, Pakistani officials said members of al-Qaeda had begun leaving Pakistan’s border region close to Afghanistan and heading for Iraq. Of the routes used, going overland via Iran was the easiest. That traffic might have increased as links between al-Qaeda and its Iraq offshoot intensify.
Additional reporting by Gareth Smyth in Tehran and Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad
4 comments:
Iran would not be prepared to deal with AQ if things got out of hand in that country. Both groups do have the same idea--destablize Iraq but the author was smart enough to point out the religious differences between all of the groups mentioned and those would prevent Iran from providing direct support. Americans are still not comfortable talking about religion. They keep talking about the "political" differences and it being a "civil war." Having no clue about the variations within Islam is very irresponsible on the part of those in power in the U.S. The headline "Al-Qaeda Linked to Operations from Iran" is also irresponsible but custom-tailored to sell media. If Americans see that headline, their brains will shut off. They will assume that Iran is supporting AQ directly. But, the article was written in Britain, and those folks actually read and pay attention, although with the recent events coming out of Scotland, their brains may have the paranoid switch set to ON.
I have to agree with Kitty here. Iran does not like the fact that AQ is breeding out of control in Iraq, and spilling over to their country.
I love the Cat but I disagree.
Iran is supporting Sunnis and the US and Saudi's are supporting Shiites. Yes Mr. Kitty the US is giving the Shiites weapons just like the Saudis are doing. AQ is setting back waiting to take over. The Media are just using AQ name to put fear in Americans as does the Journalist. Remember Osama said AQ would never have to attack the US because we are put in fear by the Bush Administration.
There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Oh Mr. Kitty we can't get Christian religion right what makes you think we can understand someone else's religion. Muslims know more about Christian religion then most American Christians.
I agree with everything AirJackie has, except all of the Sunnis cannot be lumped together. Iran would not be supporting those Sunnis who supported Hussein because of the Iran-Iraq war. And, they are smarter than to play 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' which bites the Americans on the butt every time they use that as a foreign policy. Iran would not support Sunni former Baathists just because they are the enemy of the United States. Relgious beliefs would prevent that from happening.
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