Iraqi Official Says Iran Has Escalated Involvement in Iraq

[sabra]

Source: WP

Iran has significantly escalated its involvement in Iraq, "raising the heat" by supplying more sophisticated weaponry that is used against U.S. targets and undermining progress made by the current U.S. troop increase, Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffak al Rubaie said today.

The number of detained Iranian agents and intercepted Iranian arms shipments this year represents only the "tip of the iceberg" of Tehran's activity in Iraq, Rubaie told editors and reporters at the Post. "What we have arrested is a peanut," he said. Iran's meddling has increased particularly since the U.S. and Iran reached a stalemate after tense talks in Baghdad in August, he said.

Rubaie's remarks came as U.S. forces killed at least 25 Shiite militants in an operation that targeted a cell suspected of smuggling arms from Iran. The air strike was aimed at the commander of a militia linked to Iran's Quds Force, which is accused of conducting clandestine military operations in Iraq.

Iran has repeatedly denied meddling in Iraq, and even some U.S. officials have questioned whether the activities of the elite Quds Force are specifically authorized by Tehran's top policy makers. But Rubaie asserted that Iran's top officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have approved of Iran's current strategy.

...

Iran is now "everywhere" in Iraq--politically, economically, socially, culturally and in support of militants and insurgents, Rubaie said, adding that he also could not rule out Iran's infiltration of Iraq's fledgling intelligence agencies.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/05/AR2007100501365.html

[Hydra]

1. I wonder if this is another

"Take our word for it" moments- like this one from Iraq's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari:

BLITZER: I just want to make -- minister, I just want to be clear. What you're saying is the Iranians may say the right things but their deeds don't necessarily follow their words.

ZEBARI: Well, this is, in fact, this is the problem. From us, many of this evidence has been investigated by the multinational force by the Americans. In many cases, the Iraqi authorities have not been in the loop.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0709/30/le.01.html

The emphasis is mine...a very troubling admission on his part.

[iconoclastic cat]

2. Here it comes, your 19th nervous breakdown! nt

[Zandor]

3. One reason we can't rule out a strike on Iran

even though we made a mistake going into Iraq, we now have to defend our interests there, including trying to do what we can for the fledgling government and protecting our troops.

[daleo]

5. Mistake #1 leads to mistake #2

Mistake #2 leads to mistake #3, and so on.

Sometimes, you just have to quit making more mistakes.

[Megahurtz]

11. Agreed!

It would definitely be a mistake.
We don't need any more mistakes especially involving illegal Wars and occupations.

[atreides1]

6. I don't have any interest in Iraq

And I could give rat spit about its "fledgling government", as for the troops, the best way to protect them is to get them out of this Iraqi Civil War!!!!

I already know your stand, I've seen some of your threads supporting war with Iran, and personally I don't agree with you. I served, I volunteered for Desert Storm, and what I saw there was enough for me, but I guess for those like you there can never be enough bloodshed or broken bodies.

So, while you continue to drum up support for expanding this war, without having to make any sacrifices, look beyond the words you speak and try to see the human cost, I doubt you will, but try.

[Zandor]

7. I honor your service

I don't support a strike on Iran. But I do understand it can't be ruled out.

We all hope it doesn't happen.

[Hydra]

9. "we now have to defend our interests there,"

You put it better than I could have.

OUR interests. Not Iraq's, not the world's...ours.

That's what this all boils down to. What WE want.

[emald]

4. well there's your problem.....your arresting peanuts fool.

arrest the Iranians supposedly there and show us. Tip of the iceberg, like he's ever seen an iceberg. hah.

[killbotfactory]

8. I'm sure some day they'll get around to offering proof

but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[sam sarrha]

10. i smell a "Medal of Freedom" or at least a cabinet appointment.. there are a lot of openings