McCain: Iran "supplying arms" to Syrian regime

By: Alex Sundby
Topics: Foreign Policy ,; Congress

Sen. John McCain told "CBS Evening News" anchor Scott Pelley Monday that it's too late to worry about Iran becoming involved in the unrest in Syria because they're already there, "supplying arms and equipment" to President Bashar Assad.

(Watch an excerpt of the interview by clicking on the video player at left.)

In an interview to be broadcast Monday evening, McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Iranian involvement shouldn't be a reason preventing the United States from providing support to the rebels in their nearly-yearlong uprising.

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"The Iranians are already there," said McCain. "They're already there. All reports confirm that. They're already supplying arms and equipment to Bashar Assad, as are the Russians supplying arms, so right now it's an asymmetric situation with Bashar Assad receiving equipment and actual physical help from Iran, Russia - and the Syrian rebels not receiving equal assistance, certainly not very much."

Watch Scott Pelley's full interview with John McCain on the "CBS Evening News" Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET

Alex Sundby
Alex Sundby is an associate news editor for CBSNews.com

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by mresendeziii February 24, 2012 7:55 PM EST: If you don't want another war then you have only one option in the election and that's Ron Paul. Any one else is taking us to war.; Reply to this comment


by BWB2020 February 21, 2012 2:59 PM EST: Yo John, anyone tell you that a country's leadership, whether you support them or not, has the right to buy arms from whoever wants to sell them, and is obligated to deal with anarchists in whatever way that stops their anarchy?

And would you explain how the US arms merchants can sell arms to whomever they want, even to both sides of a conflict, as they did during the Iran-Iraq conflict, and you have no problem with that?

Even better, why not take your war-mongering, ancient, moldy, decrepit carcass to a nursing home for the mentally ill, and pay up for the last years of your miserable life?; Reply to this comment


by Zann-Zel February 21, 2012 9:53 AM EST: Everytime we see McCain he's shouting "Lets Go to WAR!"

People, there's nothing wrong with living in Peace! REALLY!!!; Reply to this comment


by DebbieCorona February 20, 2012 7:56 PM EST: Senator McCain if you want to go fight then you go. But this smells a lot like Reagan and the Iran/Contral Affair. No thank you.; Reply to this comment


by fedup12 February 20, 2012 6:59 PM EST: by B_Erhart February 20, 2012 2:47 PM EST
Well there's only one thing to do. McCain needs to get over there ASAP to take care of whatever he has a problem with. Take the war monger sycophants with you. JUST DON'T COME BACK. NOI US money for your STAY CATION either.
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Id pay for a one way ticket.; Reply to this comment


by fedup12 February 20, 2012 6:58 PM EST: What is it McCain..... Are they supplying both sides. So they can be sure to be on the winning side.

Sheesh. What a dough head.; Reply to this comment


by tiredofeverything February 20, 2012 6:46 PM EST: Isn't he dead yet?; Reply to this comment


by boatdocster February 20, 2012 6:24 PM EST: What exactly is McSame ******** about?

That Iran is taking away some US Defense contractor sales to the rest of the world?; Reply to this comment


by FACEITT February 20, 2012 6:23 PM EST: Will somebody please tell this tired, stupid old man, McCain, that he is not a negotiator, not a war expert, not a military expert and his saying that Iran is supplying arms to Syria is tantamount to Geo. W Bush saying Iraq has WMD...I don't believe it. This man is a war monger and will do anything to get one started. Congress and their Wall St. buddies make money when we have wars. Simple as that.; Reply to this comment