It's pretty clear that some of the explosives and ordinance that Iraqi militias and insurgents alike have been using were made in Iran. How they got into Iraq and, once there, how they wound up in the hands of both Shiite and Sunni fighters isn't clear. Given the level of corruption within the Iraqi government and security services, the blame may well lie with the Baghdad government.
The Tehran government, however, may have a tougher time explaining how 100-Austrian made, Steyr sniper rifles wound up in the wrong hands in Iraq. These are .50 calibre rifles that pack an awesome punch, capable of penetrating light armour from up to a mile away.
Over British and American objections, the Austrian government approved the sale of 800 of these rifles to Iran, ostensibly to be used in countering drug smuggling. So far the Americans have found 100-of them in Iraq. They claim the serial numbers of the captured Steyrs prove they're from the Iran sale.
This still doesn't prove that top Iranian leaders were directly involved in getting these weapons into Iraq but it certainly leaves them with some accounting to do. Then again, the Steyr, lethal as it may be, can even be had via the internet.
It is possible that these rifles had been obtained by Iran from the US in the first place during the Iran-Contra affair. Who knows?
ReplyDeleteWith all of the conflicts around the world far from America that the US have helped to forment, equip and arm it is very shaky ground to cast stones at a country that may be involving itself in the shaping the course of the future of its immediate neighbour.
No, the shipment occured in 2004 and appears to be well-documented. I doubt this particular weapon was even being produced back during Reagan's era.
ReplyDeleteActually, the Steyr has been around for decades, with modern versions- including the sniper version- emerging in 1978.
ReplyDeleteBut the point I was making is that even if the Iranian government have supplied these weapons to insurgents it is hardly a unique situation, and as America never seems to feel that it owes anyone an explanation for its meddling, why should Iran?
Why? Because America is bigger and its president's God is bigger than Iran's God. Or some sort of drivel like that. If we start getting into sanctimony and hypocrisy well... hey we'll be here forever.
ReplyDeleteGood point