(11 Feb 2007) HEADLINE: U.S. makes Iran, insurgent connection
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CAPTION: U.S. military officials charge that the highest levels of the Iranian leadership ordered Shiite militants in Iraq to be armed with sophisticated armor-piercing roadside bombs. (Feb. 11)
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The U-S military says it has evidence that top Iranian leaders have ordered Shiite
militants in Iraq to be armed with sophisticated armor-piercing roadside bombs that have been used in attacks like this.
Officials also say those highly sophisticated weapons are coming into Iraq from Iran.
The officials says those bombs have led to the deaths of at least 170 American forces and untold number of Iraqi deaths.
The show of evidence has been weeks in the making and supports the Bush administration's claims that Iran is interceding on behalf of militant Iraqis fighting American forces.
White House supporters say they find this evidence troubling.
SOT Trent Lott
"iran is a problem. For their own people, in the region and for the world. Their determination to develop this nuclear capability this nuclear weapon capability and there are indications that they are providing these more sophisticated explossive devices. That is very bad and extremely dangerous and unhelpful. We've got to fina way to control that."
However some Democrats say they are wary about where this could lead the U-S.
SOT SEN Dodd
I don't doubt that Iran hasn't been involved to some degree and clearly that's a problem that needs to be addressed. But I am getting uneasy that they are trying to set up a premise for some future, broader action in Iran. I think that would be a mistake at this point."
U-S officials have alleged for years that weapons were entering Iraq from Iran but Sunday is the first time they alleged top Iranian leaders are involved.
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