Read on Twitter
THREAD
1)
U.S. intelligence indicates #Iran paid bounties to the terrorist Haqqani network of the Taliban for targeting American troops in Afghanistan.
Iran has long been known to use proxies for conducting attacks throughout the region. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/17/politics/iran-taliban-bounties-us-intelligence/index.html
1)
U.S. intelligence indicates #Iran paid bounties to the terrorist Haqqani network of the Taliban for targeting American troops in Afghanistan.
Iran has long been known to use proxies for conducting attacks throughout the region. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/17/politics/iran-taliban-bounties-us-intelligence/index.html
2)
The assessment notes that Iran reimbursed the Haqqani Network after it conducted at least six attacks against US and Coalition interests in 2019.
Pentagon spokesman Army Maj. Rob Lodewick acknowledged Tehran's efforts to undermine the peace process.
The assessment notes that Iran reimbursed the Haqqani Network after it conducted at least six attacks against US and Coalition interests in 2019.
Pentagon spokesman Army Maj. Rob Lodewick acknowledged Tehran's efforts to undermine the peace process.
3)
Tehran's "support to some elements of the Taliban has threatened to undermine the peace process in Afghanistan,” one State Dept. official said.
Tehran's "support to some elements of the Taliban has threatened to undermine the peace process in Afghanistan,” one State Dept. official said.
4)
It is a fact that the U.S. & Taliban signed a peace agreement.
While we all hope for lasting peace in Afghanistan & all int'l troops to return to home, we should not forget how #Iran's regime has constantly fueled years of instability & violence in its eastern neighbor.
It is a fact that the U.S. & Taliban signed a peace agreement.
While we all hope for lasting peace in Afghanistan & all int'l troops to return to home, we should not forget how #Iran's regime has constantly fueled years of instability & violence in its eastern neighbor.
5)
Oct 23, 2018
The U.S. Treasury Department took "significant actions to expose and disrupt Taliban actors and their Iranian sponsors that seek to undermine the security of the Afghan Government."
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm532
(File Photo)
Oct 23, 2018
The U.S. Treasury Department took "significant actions to expose and disrupt Taliban actors and their Iranian sponsors that seek to undermine the security of the Afghan Government."
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm532
(File Photo)
6)
Let's take a look at #Iran's ties to the Taliban.
"Hundreds of Taliban fighters are receiving advanced training from special forces at military academies in Iran as part of a significant escalation of support for the insurgents..." https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/talibans-best-fighters-being-trained-by-iran-bbzc68n3m
Let's take a look at #Iran's ties to the Taliban.
"Hundreds of Taliban fighters are receiving advanced training from special forces at military academies in Iran as part of a significant escalation of support for the insurgents..." https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/talibans-best-fighters-being-trained-by-iran-bbzc68n3m
7)
A provincial police chief, Fazel Ahmad Sherzad, was more explicit.
"Iran directly interferes … insecurity in Farah is in the interest of Iran … Iran is fully funding and equipping the Taliban in Farah,” he said...
https://jamestown.org/program/iran-ramps-up-support-to-taliban-in-western-afghanistan/
A provincial police chief, Fazel Ahmad Sherzad, was more explicit.
"Iran directly interferes … insecurity in Farah is in the interest of Iran … Iran is fully funding and equipping the Taliban in Farah,” he said...
https://jamestown.org/program/iran-ramps-up-support-to-taliban-in-western-afghanistan/
8)
Iran's New Quds Force Leader Has A Long, Shadowy History With Afghanistan
"Qaani's recent trips to Afghanistan are just the latest examples of his activities in the war-torn country." https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-s-new-quds-force-leader-has-a-long-history-with-afghanistan/30379354.html
Iran's New Quds Force Leader Has A Long, Shadowy History With Afghanistan
"Qaani's recent trips to Afghanistan are just the latest examples of his activities in the war-torn country." https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-s-new-quds-force-leader-has-a-long-history-with-afghanistan/30379354.html
9)
In 1987, Ghaani was appointed as the Ansar Corps Commander, which was responsible for operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In this capacity, he organized and commanded special IRGC operations in Afghanistan.
In 1987, Ghaani was appointed as the Ansar Corps Commander, which was responsible for operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In this capacity, he organized and commanded special IRGC operations in Afghanistan.
10)
Placed on the list of sanctions by the U.S. government, Ghaani has organized a vast network of smuggling in order to supply arms and funds to terrorist proxies in various countries, including Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
File photo - Ghaani right of @khamenei_ir
Placed on the list of sanctions by the U.S. government, Ghaani has organized a vast network of smuggling in order to supply arms and funds to terrorist proxies in various countries, including Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
File photo - Ghaani right of @khamenei_ir
11)
Afghan government and police officials have accused Iran of providing financial aid and advice to Taliban militants as part of its opposition to the US military presence in Afghanistan. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1310541/world
Afghan government and police officials have accused Iran of providing financial aid and advice to Taliban militants as part of its opposition to the US military presence in Afghanistan. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1310541/world
12)
Farah Provincial Council Chair Jamile Amini has accused Iran of sending IRGC members to join the Taliban ranks and files, adding that 25 Taliban members recently killed in this province were IRGC members. https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international/313100-how-iran-aides-the-afghan-taliban-under-americas-nose
Farah Provincial Council Chair Jamile Amini has accused Iran of sending IRGC members to join the Taliban ranks and files, adding that 25 Taliban members recently killed in this province were IRGC members. https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international/313100-how-iran-aides-the-afghan-taliban-under-americas-nose
13)
"As per recent reports, Russia and Iran have also been covertly supporting the Taliban, with their support expanding in recent years." https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/irans-support-for-the-taliban-brings-it-to-a-crossroads-with-afghanistan/
"As per recent reports, Russia and Iran have also been covertly supporting the Taliban, with their support expanding in recent years." https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/irans-support-for-the-taliban-brings-it-to-a-crossroads-with-afghanistan/
14)
"The former leader of the Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was returning from Iran to Quetta, Pakistan, when he was targeted by a U.S. drone."
"The former leader of the Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was returning from Iran to Quetta, Pakistan, when he was targeted by a U.S. drone."
15)
"The killing of the Taliban chief on the main highway leading from the Iranian border shines new light on the movement’s complicated relationship with Tehran." https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/death-of-mullah-mansoor-highlights-talibans-links-with-iran
"The killing of the Taliban chief on the main highway leading from the Iranian border shines new light on the movement’s complicated relationship with Tehran." https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/death-of-mullah-mansoor-highlights-talibans-links-with-iran
16)
"Although it is Pakistan that has traditionally been condemned for secretly supporting Afghan insurgents, analysts say Iran also provides weapons, cash and sanctuary to the Taliban."
"Although it is Pakistan that has traditionally been condemned for secretly supporting Afghan insurgents, analysts say Iran also provides weapons, cash and sanctuary to the Taliban."
17)
"Tehran & the Taliban have a more symbiotic relationship than meets the eye.Indeed, Tehran and the Taliban have a more symbiotic relationship than meets the eye." https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/27/mullah-mansour-iran-afghanistan-taliban-drone/
"Tehran & the Taliban have a more symbiotic relationship than meets the eye.Indeed, Tehran and the Taliban have a more symbiotic relationship than meets the eye." https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/27/mullah-mansour-iran-afghanistan-taliban-drone/
18)
" @thomasjoscelyn, an international security analyst and senior editor with the Long War Journal, has presented a compelling case of long-standing links between Iran and the Taliban. These links date back to 2000,..."
More on the Iran/Taliban link
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/07/iran_and_the_taliban.php
" @thomasjoscelyn, an international security analyst and senior editor with the Long War Journal, has presented a compelling case of long-standing links between Iran and the Taliban. These links date back to 2000,..."
More on the Iran/Taliban link
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/07/iran_and_the_taliban.php
19)
"Even one-time enemies like the Taliban & Iran can conspire when it comes to countering their mutual enemy: America. And, somewhat surprisingly, they had begun to plan their countermeasures even before the September 11 attacks prompted America’s response in the region."
"Even one-time enemies like the Taliban & Iran can conspire when it comes to countering their mutual enemy: America. And, somewhat surprisingly, they had begun to plan their countermeasures even before the September 11 attacks prompted America’s response in the region."
20)
Important:
"Esma’il Razavi was designated for acting for or on behalf of IRGC-Quds Force & for assisting in, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, the Taliban."
Important:
"Esma’il Razavi was designated for acting for or on behalf of IRGC-Quds Force & for assisting in, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, the Taliban."
21)
"Mohammad Ebrahim Owhadi was designated for acting for or on behalf of IRGC-Quds Force & for assisting in, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, the Taliban."
"Mohammad Ebrahim Owhadi was designated for acting for or on behalf of IRGC-Quds Force & for assisting in, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, the Taliban."
22)
Iran funded us to attack a major Afghan piping project, members of a defected Taliban group say.
Persian source: https://farsi.alarabiya.net/fa/afghanistan/2018/04/22/%DB%8C%DA%A9-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B4%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AA.html
Iran funded us to attack a major Afghan piping project, members of a defected Taliban group say.
Persian source: https://farsi.alarabiya.net/fa/afghanistan/2018/04/22/%DB%8C%DA%A9-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B4%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AA.html
23)
February 18, 2020
Chief of Police of Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan has said that Afghan intelligence services have evidence Iran is supplying the Taliban with Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). https://en.radiofarda.com/a/afghan-police-official-says-iran-supplying-taliban-with-manpads/30442083.html
February 18, 2020
Chief of Police of Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan has said that Afghan intelligence services have evidence Iran is supplying the Taliban with Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). https://en.radiofarda.com/a/afghan-police-official-says-iran-supplying-taliban-with-manpads/30442083.html
24)
"General Haya also alleged that Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) is funding the Taliban to fight Afghan and American forces and their allies."
(File Photos)
"General Haya also alleged that Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) is funding the Taliban to fight Afghan and American forces and their allies."
(File Photos)
25)
"Iran will reinforce groups, Taliban in general & Al-Qaida in particular, to target Americans & their allies in Afghanistan. There were reports Iran was supplying Al-Qaida w/ missiles to target US bases," said Hikmatullah Azami, a counter-terrorism/security expert in Kabul.
"Iran will reinforce groups, Taliban in general & Al-Qaida in particular, to target Americans & their allies in Afghanistan. There were reports Iran was supplying Al-Qaida w/ missiles to target US bases," said Hikmatullah Azami, a counter-terrorism/security expert in Kabul.
26)
In November 2019 a high-ranking Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the group’s founders, visited Tehran after talks in Moscow. Mullah Abdul Ghani held meetings with Iran's FM @JZarif according to these reports. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-afghanistan-meeting/iran-foreign-minister-meets-senior-taliban-official-in-tehran-idUSKBN1Y10N0
In November 2019 a high-ranking Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the group’s founders, visited Tehran after talks in Moscow. Mullah Abdul Ghani held meetings with Iran's FM @JZarif according to these reports. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-afghanistan-meeting/iran-foreign-minister-meets-senior-taliban-official-in-tehran-idUSKBN1Y10N0
27)
Sep 2018
Sec. Pompeo:
Iran has supported terrorism in Europe, Africa, South Africa, Asia and... Since 2006, Iran has provided the Taliban with a broad range of arms. This past August, the U.S. arrested two Iranian operatives targeting Israelis and American citizens.
Sep 2018
Sec. Pompeo:
Iran has supported terrorism in Europe, Africa, South Africa, Asia and... Since 2006, Iran has provided the Taliban with a broad range of arms. This past August, the U.S. arrested two Iranian operatives targeting Israelis and American citizens.
28)
Now, regarding #Iran’s ties with al-Qaeda.
“U.S. intelligence officials & prosecutors have long said Iran formed loose ties to the terror organization starting in 1991, something noted in a 19-page al-Qaida report in Arabic...” https://apnews.com/3b50816d482d456b977eedb10c996f4c
Now, regarding #Iran’s ties with al-Qaeda.
“U.S. intelligence officials & prosecutors have long said Iran formed loose ties to the terror organization starting in 1991, something noted in a 19-page al-Qaida report in Arabic...” https://apnews.com/3b50816d482d456b977eedb10c996f4c
29)
Then “CIA director Mike Pompeo suggested the al-Qaeda-Iran pact had been an ‘open secret’ during the Obama administration, which had failed to act.” https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/11/al-qaeda-iran-cia/545576/
Then “CIA director Mike Pompeo suggested the al-Qaeda-Iran pact had been an ‘open secret’ during the Obama administration, which had failed to act.” https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/11/al-qaeda-iran-cia/545576/
30)
“Iran provided logistical assistance to Al Qaeda, facilitating travel for some operatives and providing safe houses for others.” https://www.newsweek.com/irans-secret-funding-al-qaeda-exchange-attacks-us-targets-exposed-bin-laden-699370
“Iran provided logistical assistance to Al Qaeda, facilitating travel for some operatives and providing safe houses for others.” https://www.newsweek.com/irans-secret-funding-al-qaeda-exchange-attacks-us-targets-exposed-bin-laden-699370
31)
“Anyone who wants to strike America, Iran is ready to support him & help him with their frank and clear rhetoric,” AP quotes an Arabic al-Qaeda report as saying. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1187461/middle-east
“Anyone who wants to strike America, Iran is ready to support him & help him with their frank and clear rhetoric,” AP quotes an Arabic al-Qaeda report as saying. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1187461/middle-east
32)
“Iran has collaborated with Al Qaeda covertly and often by proxy due to the latter's notorious reputation. This covert cooperation began in the early 1990's in Sudan, continued after Al Qaeda relocated to Afghanistan...” https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/AlQaeda
“Iran has collaborated with Al Qaeda covertly and often by proxy due to the latter's notorious reputation. This covert cooperation began in the early 1990's in Sudan, continued after Al Qaeda relocated to Afghanistan...” https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/AlQaeda
33)
"Iranian intelligence officials secretly helped provide the Al Qaeda attackers with passage and gave them refuge in the Islamic Republic..." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/01/iran-relationship-al-qaeda-revealed-newly-released-trove-bin/
"Iranian intelligence officials secretly helped provide the Al Qaeda attackers with passage and gave them refuge in the Islamic Republic..." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/01/iran-relationship-al-qaeda-revealed-newly-released-trove-bin/
34)
Iranian official: In some cases, we let Al Qaeda members pass through Iran without stamping their passports.
(Credit: @MEMRIReports)
Iranian official: In some cases, we let Al Qaeda members pass through Iran without stamping their passports.
(Credit: @MEMRIReports)
35)
Final thoughts:
We all want peace in Afghanistan.
In the road ahead, I believe the main threat to this process is the regime ruling Iran.
Finally, if interested, I wrote a piece in 2017 about Iran’s ties with al-Qaeda. Let me know what you think. https://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2017/09/11/ANALYSIS-Revisiting-Iran-s-9-11-connection.html
Final thoughts:
We all want peace in Afghanistan.
In the road ahead, I believe the main threat to this process is the regime ruling Iran.
Finally, if interested, I wrote a piece in 2017 about Iran’s ties with al-Qaeda. Let me know what you think. https://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2017/09/11/ANALYSIS-Revisiting-Iran-s-9-11-connection.html
