Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Inelligence Chief McConnell: Iran training Iraqi insurgents in I.E.D. use at sites in Lebanon, Iran


WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Iran is training anti-American Iraqi Shi'ites at sites inside Iran and Lebanon in the use of armor-piercing munitions blamed for the deaths of 170 U.S. troops in Iraq, the top U.S. intelligence official said on Tuesday.

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, newly installed U.S. intelligence chief Mike McConnell said it was "probable" that Iranian leaders including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were aware that weapons known as explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, had been supplied to Iraqi Shi'ites.

But McConnell, in his first congressional testimony as the U.S. director of national intelligence, stopped short of saying Iran was directing the EFP attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.

Read the rest at Reuters/Alternet

Related Link:
U.S. Says Raid in Iraq Supports Claim on Iran

Related Link:
Intelligence Sources: Officials in Iran weapons briefing overstated evidence

Related Link:
Perspective: Doubts raised on linking of Iran to US deaths in Iraq

Related Link:
Military: 'Rogue elements' of Shi'ite militias behind use of Iranian EFPs

Related Link:
Bush: Iran supplying roadside bombs

Related Link:
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Pace: No proof of Iranian government involvement in supplying weapons to insurgents

Related Link:
Sources: 'Highest levels' of Iran government funneling sophisticated explosives to extremist groups