From TIME Magazine:
Next week's much anticipated final report by a bipartisan commission on the origins of the 9/11 attacks will contain new evidence of contacts between al-Qaeda and Iran—just weeks after the Administration has come under fire for overstating its claims of contacts between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein's Iraq.
A senior U.S. official told TIME that the Commission has uncovered evidence suggesting that between eight and ten of the 14 "muscle" hijackers—that is, those involved in gaining control of the four 9/11 aircraft and subduing the crew and passengers—passed through Iran in the period from October 2000 to February 2001. Sources also tell TIME that Commission investigators found that Iran had a history of allowing al-Qaeda members to enter and exit Iran across the Afghan border. This practice dated back to October 2000, with Iranian officials issuing specific instructions to their border guards—in some cases not to put stamps in the passports of al-Qaeda personnel—and otherwise not harass them and to facilitate their travel across the frontier. The report does not, however, offer evidence that Iran was aware of the plans for the 9/11 attacks
From the BBC:
Iran says it has located and dismantled all branches of the al-Qaeda network in the country.
Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi said his ministry had stopped al-Qaeda's terrorist acts, state TV reported.
However, the broadcast gave no details of the operation and did not say how many people had been detained.
Iran has previously denied allegations that it gave sanctuary to al-Qaeda fugitives who escaped the US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan.
Matt's Chat
Neither of these stories is particularly earth-shattering.I am not shocked to learn that a number of the 9/11 hijackers travelled through Iran. After all, Iran is a member of the Axis of Evil and run by the Mad Mullahs. Islamofascism is the form of government over there. Why wouldn't they support fellow radical Islamists? There have been ties reported between AQ and Iran since the Afghanistan phase of the war. AQ was allowed to use Iran as a sanctuary.
As for Iran wiping out AQ in their country, I find this very difficult to believe. Again, idealogically, these folks have a lot in common. The only motivation for taking such action is that there is a good possibility that Iran is next on the dance card. And I think that is probably unavoidable at this point. Iran continues to make themselves into a nuclear menace and the government is rather unpopular. Iran is a teetering domino that might be ready to fall with just a little push.
Mark's Remarks
We have known since 1979 that Iran is a sponsor and encourager of terror. It is not earthshattering or unbelieveable to think there were connections between Iran and AQ. However, I find it difficult to believe that Iran wiped out AQ in their country. If anything, they merely sent them into Iraq or spread them out around the region to make it look like they removed them. Iran is a country that has long hated the West, and has long wanted to be the new base for a Muslim dominated world. The people in control there are dictators who hide behind religion, and who use religious fervor to whip it into fanaticism to encourage people to kill themselves for the cause.
