Accusing Iran

Accusations against Iran by top American military commanders are more to intimidate Gulf States and Saudi Arabia. Iranian nation and leaders have seen through the US game plan, and will continue with what is in Iran's national interest. The accusation that Tehran is supplying weapons to Shia militia's in Iraq, especially to Muqtada Al-Sadar's Mehdi Army are not new.

Tehran rejects all such allegations. On Friday April 25, 2008 Admiral Michael G Mullen Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff accused Iran in a televised news briefing of increasing shipments of weapons to Shia militia's in Iran, in violation of promises to stem the flow of Iranian arms into Iraq. He accused that Tehran has plans to destabilise Nuri al Maliki's pro US government. The accusations by Admiral Mullen came two days after an allegation by General David H Patraeus the top American general in Iraq and Defence Secretary Robert M Gates that Iran had stepped up clandestine supply of weapons to the Mehdi Army.

US commanders in Iraq are planning to reveal and provide proof of arms smuggling from Iran into Iraq. But there was apparent confusion when high US officials commented, " There was no concerted US campaign to intensify pressure on Iran." But anti-Iran remarks by top US military commanders supported by the US Defence Secretary indicate that there could be a shift in US policy towards Iran.

That Tehran has been supplying arms to Iraqi Shia militia's, especially to the Mehdi Army are evidenced by the substantial increase in the number of attacks on Iraqi Army and police, and road side bombings which take a toll of US and British troops. US military officials in Baghdad are warning Tehran to stop interfering in Iraq. But Iran does not care. They want the Bush Administration to renew warnings of military action against Iran, if armed supplies by Iran to the Shia militia's continue. Bush Administration acknowledges that "a third conflict - military action against Iran, in addition to the on going war's in Iraq and Afghanistan would be extremely stressful." Thereby implying that a US attack on Iran is a remote possibility. Admiral Mullen said, "But no potential adversary should feel emboldened. I have massive reserve capability, particularly the aircraft carrier groups on station in the Gulf, and the immense capability of the United States Air Force."