Gates: Basra operations 'awakened' Iraqis to Iranian involvement

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates says recent operations by Iraqis in Basra are what "awakened" the Iraqis to what he calls "the magnitude of Iranian meddling in Iraq."

Gates, speaking today to journalists in Colorado, said the Basra operations led to the discovery of substantial supplies of Iranian-supplied weapons. When asked if the U.S. would at some point feel compelled to take military action against Iran, Gates said that the U.S. already has a number of activities under way "to deal particularly with what the Iranians were doing" to support Shiite militias.

U.S. officials say the militias are funded and trained by Iranians.

Gates says the U.S. is being "very aggressive" in going after those who "are interfering or supplying weapons from Iran."

Read more: http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8316859

[habitual]

1. "substantial supplies of Iranian-supplied weapons."

are those the ones that didn't actually come from IRAN or is this the new batch of Iranian weapons that have nothing to do with IRAN?

[Larkspur]

2. It was Iran who mediated the truce between pro-Iranian Maliki and Iraqi Nationalist Sadr

Iran definitely has influence in Iraq, thanks to George W. Bush's invasion and corrupt occupation. Propping up a Shiite dominated goverment was a boon to the Shiite dominated Iran.

[OmahaBlueDog]

3. Gee, I thought the US invasion based on fake evidence fed by an Iranian spy would have tipped them.

Go figure?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/may/25/usa.iraq10

(old news, but I just find the Gates revelation amusing at a certain level)

[seriousstan]

4. The Iranians have never shown any aggression against Iraqis before.

[jonnyra]

5. Oh really?

But I just read a couple of weeks ago that Iraq visited with Iranian officials and decided there was not enough evidence of any meddling to make an issue of. WHy do I get the feeling Gates is lying his slimy ass off? Anything to keep the drums of war beating loud and clear. Lie, manipulate facts, stamp chunks of metal with made in Iran and call munitions.

These creeps just love spilling the blood of innocents.

America and Israel are the worlds most dangerous terrorist organization.

[LynnTheDem]

6. ROTFLMAO!!!

Now that's actually a funny one, Gates! :rofl:

[Tempest]

7. Iraqi government to U.S. - Show us proof of Iranian involvement

Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's spokesman backed away Sunday from Iraqi officials' accusations of Iranian interference, saying that a committee had been formed to determine whether there is merit to U.S. charges that its eastern neighbor is arming and training Shiite Muslim militants here.