Iraqi bomb know-how 'from Iran'

[big bad john]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4408512.stm

Iraqi bomb know-how 'from Iran' 

Roadside devices have been getting more sophisticated
A senior British general has repeated a claim that bomb-making technology is crossing into Iraq from Iran.
Maj Gen Jim Dutton, who commands a multi-national force in south-eastern Iraq, said the know-how for advanced bombs was coming "across that border".

He said it was unclear in which country the devices were being assembled, or if the Iranian government was involved.

Iran denied similar claims when they were first made in October, after an increase in British casualties in Iraq.

Armour-piercing

Speaking to reporters in Washington via a video link from Iraq, Maj Gen Dutton said a new sophisticated type of explosive device, called "shaped charges", has appeared in Iraq recent months.

  The technology certainly, and probably the equipment, is certainly coming through

Maj Gen Jim Dutton
Force commander in Iraq

These devices are able to penetrate heavy armour on tanks and other vehicles.

Maj Gen Dutton said "the technology certainly, and probably the equipment, is certainly coming through [the Iran-Iraq border]."

He said he did not know "whether this is Iranian government policy or whether this is simply groups who are using Iran for their own purposes and not being controlled".

Coalition forces were trying to establish where the devices were manufactured, he added.

The allegation linking Iran to bomb technology in Iraq was initially made in early October by a UK official, who spoke anonymously.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair then said "information" linked Iran to recent bomb attacks on UK troops, and warned Tehran against interfering in Iraq.

At the time, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza-Asefi said: "This is a lie. The British are the cause of instability and crisis in Iraq."

 

[Mineguy]

Im in this AOR from the Article as a civi of course and without going too much into detail theres no doubt these facts are most likely true as it seems as stated about iranian involvement as all the open source info facts seem to add up with one particular IED type being used.....there are also other people just disgruntled or mad at the forces in theatre who make things up locally and have nothing to do with iran so every IED is not linked to iran.

 

[jmackenzie_15]

There have been more and more suspicions concerning Iran being involved in arming and training insurgent forces since the war began.Syria also seemed to have a part... more and more things like this seem to be cropping up. It should be fairly obvious now.... as far as I would assume, there arent any community college courses in Iraq on making armor piercing roadside bombs and I highly doubt that the United States military would be training Iraqi soldiers in anything like that.

Iran on the other hand, id be willing to bet my left nut theyre sending people over the border to help fight against the americans.
They were finding body armor and weapons that were from Iran earlier in the war, and things from syria etc. Many of the dead insurgents were identified to be Iranian and other nationalities as well.

Im just wondering how many more stunts Iran is going to pull before the US gets fed up and starts a campaign against them too.....
As soon as they can come up with solid proof Iran is feeding the insurgents, I don't see why they dont have a legitamit reason to start bombing away, besides the fact that the military is fairly taxed...

may we live in interesting times.

 

[Bert]

Bomb know-how, parts and training, likely comes from many places and not just Iran. 
IEDs are not necessarily sophisticated devices so building and using them takes more
will and access to materials than brains.

Iran would love to see a Shia dominated Iraq.  Assisting the Sunni insurgency, reducing
the Shia political power, and watching Shia's being blown-up may not be in the best
interests of Iran.  Factions within Syria, the larger Sunni world, and those opposed to
any US presence would be more supportive of Iraqi Sunni insurgents.  US presence in
Iraq is acceptable to Iran in the sense that it is a balancing force between old Shia and
Sunni ambitions in the region.  Its definitely complicated.