THREAD
1)
As #Iran downgrades the killing of ISIS leader al-Baghdadi by US special forces, a look at the past portrays an interesting image: Iran’s close ties with ISIS.
Zarqawi protected by Iran’s IRGC & provided resources to rebuild ISIS.
Obama knew…
freebeacon.com/national-secur…
1)
As #Iran downgrades the killing of ISIS leader al-Baghdadi by US special forces, a look at the past portrays an interesting image: Iran’s close ties with ISIS.
Zarqawi protected by Iran’s IRGC & provided resources to rebuild ISIS.
Obama knew…
freebeacon.com/national-secur…
2)
“Iran’s relationship with AQI founder al-Zarqawi has been well documented by U.S. intelligence and complicates the narrative pushed by Obama administration officials in the wake of ISIL’s violent overthrow of several Iraqi cities.”
“Iran’s relationship with AQI founder al-Zarqawi has been well documented by U.S. intelligence and complicates the narrative pushed by Obama administration officials in the wake of ISIL’s violent overthrow of several Iraqi cities.”
3)
“Iran has a long and complicated history of partnering with al Qaeda, particularly in Iraq, and helping to rebuild the terror infrastructure that would eventually allow ISIS to gain strength.”
freebeacon.com/national-secur…
“Iran has a long and complicated history of partnering with al Qaeda, particularly in Iraq, and helping to rebuild the terror infrastructure that would eventually allow ISIS to gain strength.”
freebeacon.com/national-secur…
4)
“There has never been any doubt in my mind that elements within Iran’s security services have facilitated ISIS," Col. Derek Harvey told Foreign Policy, referring to ISIS.
foreignpolicy.com/2014/06/23/tru…
“There has never been any doubt in my mind that elements within Iran’s security services have facilitated ISIS," Col. Derek Harvey told Foreign Policy, referring to ISIS.
foreignpolicy.com/2014/06/23/tru…
5)
John Kerry – June 2014
“We’re open to discussions if there is something constructive that can be contributed by Iran, if Iran is prepared to do something that will respect the integrity & sovereignty of Iraq & ability of the government to reform."
pbs.org/newshour/natio…
John Kerry – June 2014
“We’re open to discussions if there is something constructive that can be contributed by Iran, if Iran is prepared to do something that will respect the integrity & sovereignty of Iraq & ability of the government to reform."
pbs.org/newshour/natio…
6)
“Yet American veterans of the decade-long Iraq war and occupation say that the idea is both preposterous and dangerous.”
“Yet American veterans of the decade-long Iraq war and occupation say that the idea is both preposterous and dangerous.”
7)
Another high-ranking retired U.S. military official, who asked not to be identified by name, told FP: "Ansar al-Islam, the people who eventually became al Qaeda in Iraq [the forerunner organization to ISIS] — where’d they come from? They came from Iran.
Another high-ranking retired U.S. military official, who asked not to be identified by name, told FP: "Ansar al-Islam, the people who eventually became al Qaeda in Iraq [the forerunner organization to ISIS] — where’d they come from? They came from Iran.
8)
"Back when we were getting intel from Iraqis at every level in our reconciliation program, they were telling us that Iran was funding any group that could keep Iraq chaotic," Col. Rick Welch said. "They did not want to see democracy in Iraq…”
"Back when we were getting intel from Iraqis at every level in our reconciliation program, they were telling us that Iran was funding any group that could keep Iraq chaotic," Col. Rick Welch said. "They did not want to see democracy in Iraq…”
9)
“Iranian documents captured by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2007 did indeed state that Iran’s IRGC Quds Force was helping Sunni jihadists along with Shiite militias… "All of the EFPs, IEDs, rockets & rocket launchers we were seizing — all of this was coming out of Iran…”
“Iranian documents captured by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2007 did indeed state that Iran’s IRGC Quds Force was helping Sunni jihadists along with Shiite militias… "All of the EFPs, IEDs, rockets & rocket launchers we were seizing — all of this was coming out of Iran…”
10)
Moving on to Syria:
October 2015
Airstrikes by Russia, an ally of Assad’s regime, “overwhelmingly targeted rebel-held territory in western Syria rather than the ISIS strongholds in the north and east.”
bit.ly/34bzTvw
Moving on to Syria:
October 2015
Airstrikes by Russia, an ally of Assad’s regime, “overwhelmingly targeted rebel-held territory in western Syria rather than the ISIS strongholds in the north and east.”
bit.ly/34bzTvw
11)
Reminder:
Soleimani’s visit to Moscow was the first step in planning for a Russian military intervention that reshaped the Syrian war and forged a new Iranian-Russian alliance in support of Assad.
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
Reminder:
Soleimani’s visit to Moscow was the first step in planning for a Russian military intervention that reshaped the Syrian war and forged a new Iranian-Russian alliance in support of Assad.
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
12)
“Confirmed: ISIS Sold Oil To Assad & Turkey“
“…the dealings between Islamic State, the Syrian regime, and Turkey were complicated, but there was communication between the parties.”
My take:
Communication facilitated by Iran’s IRGC.
oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Mi…
“Confirmed: ISIS Sold Oil To Assad & Turkey“
“…the dealings between Islamic State, the Syrian regime, and Turkey were complicated, but there was communication between the parties.”
My take:
Communication facilitated by Iran’s IRGC.
oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Mi…
13)
“… the [Iran-backed] Assad regime, despite pronouncements that it is fighting the extremist group, is directly supporting ISIS through the purchase of energy…”
fortune.com/2017/01/20/oil…
“… the [Iran-backed] Assad regime, despite pronouncements that it is fighting the extremist group, is directly supporting ISIS through the purchase of energy…”
fortune.com/2017/01/20/oil…
14)
And yet Iran’s mullahs are very pragmatic. When necessary they will support terrorists, and when needed they will support those seeking to kill terrorists.
newyorker.com/magazine/2013/…
And yet Iran’s mullahs are very pragmatic. When necessary they will support terrorists, and when needed they will support those seeking to kill terrorists.
newyorker.com/magazine/2013/…
15)
Conclusion:
Iran’s regime and terrorist groups are two sides of the same coin.
This from Iranian opposition leader @Maryam_Rajavi:
Conclusion:
Iran’s regime and terrorist groups are two sides of the same coin.
This from Iranian opposition leader @Maryam_Rajavi:
