Mansoor Ijaz was asked on Fox News today about this report from the New York Daily News, and he said he thought it was unlikely that Iran would offer much support to Al Qaeda - due to their ideological differences. He's probably right; Mansoor seems very well informed. But lots of these sociopaths find common ground in one thing: hatred of the United States, so it doesn't seem too farfetched. Maybe even an example of differing factions inside Iran, which we have seen elsewhere.
Iran has rolled out the welcome mat for Al Qaeda terrorists being hunted by the U.S., according to intelligence sources and public documents. "Since the war on terrorism began, Iran has been like a Motel 6 for Al Qaeda - they leave the light on for them," said a former senior intelligence officer with decades of experience in counterterrorism and with Iran's militant mullahs.
Iran long has had a history of supporting terror groups ranging from Hezbollah to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Last week, the State Department released a report labeling Iran "the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2002." The report singled out its Al Qaeda ties. "While [Iran] has detained and turned over to foreign governments a number of Al Qaeda members, other Al Qaeda members have found virtual safe haven there and may even be receiving protection from elements of the Iranian government," the State Department report said. "It is unlikely that Al Qaeda elements could escape the attention of Iran's formidable security services."
A classified Pentagon report in February said Al Qaeda had recentralized itself after being chased from its Afghan refuge and was planning new strikes against American targets from the safety of Iran. "The highest levels of Al Qaeda leadership in Iran and Pakistan are currently planning Al Qaeda's next large-scale attack," the Defense Intelligence Agency warned.
Posted by Alan at May 4, 2003 05:31 PM