U.S. Will Confront Iran In Iraq, Bush Says

Effort Aimed At Reducing Tehran's Growing Influence Among Shiite Militias

(CBS/AP)  President Bush has authorized U.S. forces in Iraq to take whatever actions are necessary to counter Iranian agents deemed a threat to American troops or the public at large, the White House said Friday.

The aggressive new policy came in response to intelligence that Iran is supporting terrorists inside Iraq and is providing bombs — known as improvised explosive devices — and other equipment to anti-U.S. insurgents.

"The president and his national security team over the last several months have continued to receive information that Iranians were supplying IED equipment and or training that was being used to harm American soldiers," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

"As a result American forces, when they receive actionable information, may take the steps necessary to protect themselves as well as the population," Johndroe said.

For more than a year, U.S. forces in Iraq have been catching Iranian agents, interviewing them and letting them go. A report in Friday's Washington Post says the administration is now convinced that was ineffective because Iran paid no penalty for its mischief.

As one senior administration official told the Post, "There were no costs for the Iranians. They are hurting our mission in Iraq, and we were bending over backwards not to fight back."

It is unknown whether U.S. forces have killed any Iranian operatives to date. Officials told the newspaper that about 150 Iranian intelligence officers, along with members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, are active inside Iraq, though there is no evidence that these Iranian operatives have directly attacked U.S. forces in Iraq, the officials said.

In a recent Senate hearing, CIA director Gen. Michael V. Hayden noted that for the past three years, Iran has offered Shiite militias weapons and intelligence training and said there was a "striking" amount of Iranian-supplied materiel used against U.S. troops.

"Iran seems to be conducting a foreign policy with a sense of dangerous triumphalism," Hayden said.

In addition to the stated goal of reducing violence in Iraq, the kill-or-capture order is aimed at reducing Iran's influence with Hamas and Hezbollah and among Shiites in western Afghanistan.

One senior official also told the Post that the Bush administration's plans contain five "theaters of interest" designed to target Iranian interests across the Middle East.

Mr. Bush referred to the new policy in his Jan. 10 address to the United States in which he announced a buildup of 21,500 troops in Iraq. He said the United States would confront Iran and Syria more vigorously.

"These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq," he said in that address. "Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We'll interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq."

While promising tougher action, the White House said the United States does not intend to cross the Iraq-Iran border to attack Iranians.

[inventagod]

Without congressional approval, the Bu$h administration will now attack Iran.
No, it's not because of the lies you will read in the media, it is because of the rest of the oil in the region.
History will reveal the real agenda of those secret Cheney Energy Meetings was to plan a world oil takeover.
PNAC runs America.

[bluestardad]

America Does not buy the sound bite that Iraq is the war on Terror or that if we do not fight in Iraq we will fight the Terrorist over here. Unless you have been on your knees with your eyes shut in front of some Stalwart Republican like Mark Foley or Tedd Haggert you would have seen that Iraq did not attack America on 9/11 and that Iraq is in a Religious Civil War. The American People have Rejected the premise that if you disagree with the Iraq war an the President you are for the Terrorist. The Electorate on November 7, 2006 saw thru the Hypocritical Republican Abortion hating, Gay Bashing, Sausage Smoken Evangelicals who steals millions of dollars from widow women promising them Salvation all the time he%u2019s seeing male Prostitutes behind his wife%u2019s back. While Pedophile Republican Congressmen Openly stalk the halls of Congress for under age school kids. Republicans Support the will of the American people or getthehelloutta America!

[shingles1]

What does "a 'striking 'amount of Iranian-supplied materiel used against U.S. troops" mean? It would be nice to hear some exact numbers on this. How many/what percentage of attacks on US forces are from Shiite militias. And in how many of these are there clear examples (with proof) of Iranian supplied IEDs.

The last time they started talking about this in the fall, it turned out that there was no proof. It was just a "gut feeling". So, if there is proof now, then it'd be nice to actually SEE it rather than to simply trust official sources on faith alone. At this point they don't deserve our trust.

It also seems to me that this order is designed to purposely provoke an incident with Iran. The article clearly states that "there is no evidence that these Iranian operatives have directly attacked U.S. forces in Iraq, the officials said."
So why issue a shoot to kill order.

[samthetvcat]

Great comments below. Also, did Korea and Iran have any sort of relationship before Bushie went and called them the 'axis-of-evil'? Now they're buddies sharing WMD technology! Bush is making everything worse instead of better - grrrr!!!!!

[Jim1900]

You are all missing the real point. Unless you stop the N. Korean nuclear program, there is no point stopping the Iranian nuclear program. Iran will simply buy the nukes instead of making them.

[johnshaft4]

Dead enders/last throes Bush and Cheney are simply NOT SMART ENOUGH to pull off a war with Iran. Afghan/Iraq worked out real good for us, huh?

[fleshmonger6]

People need to wake up to the fact that most people have more in common with most people in any "enemy" country than they do with those who lead them. War is now more of a weapon to be used by those in government against their own citizenry than it is to do with combating any real threat from outside to national security. The only security that those in governments who practice this insanity are worried about is security against good ideas and their own populace forcing change. What has the country of Iran done exactly that is any different in general terms than what the U.S. government has done. They use any excuse to broaden their influence just as the U.S. does. They utilize secrecy towards those ends just as the U.S. does. They are lying about their intentions with regards to weapon developement just as the U.S. does. I am an American who is proud of my country but I refuse to practice any form of dishonesty in the name of supporting the things my country is supposed to stand for, and that supposedly make our country better than other countries that don't practice those things. There are a lot of good comments here... It's nice to see thinking people.

[omnibus66]

Knowing full well that his "new way forward" is doomed to failure, GWB sees his salvation and road to a positive legacy lies in starting a war with Iran. To that end, we will see increasing "incidents" with Iranians in the near future, culminating with an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities by ISREAL. Then all hell will break loose everywhere in the middle east, and we will be right in the middle of it.

Of course, this scenario may not happen (and I certainly hope it does not), and will not if our elected Congress grows some balls and puts a stop to the antics of mad king george.

The protest marches scheduled for tomorrow are a good start, but we need tens of millions of voters to put all the presure they can on their Representatives and Senators.

[clestes-2009]

Nothing more than prodding Iran to try and start a war. Bush wants his legacy to be something more than than the losing effort in Iraq. Somehow he thinks that if he manages to start a war with Iran, he will be remember as more than the ****** he is now.

[grumpas]

Jim1348: You are the one missing the point! These people are NOT going to give up on nuclear weapons as long as Bush is running amok in the middle east and a threat to them! Grow up! Who can really blame them?????? It looks to me like our glorious fascist leader wants the whole world disarmed so he can easily take it over with no problems! All these stories about Iranian's in Iraq are another pretext for expanding the war! That's why he wants more troops! A lot of us are wise to him!

[processor2]

GOOD

If Iran's agents' can kill American troops, then those same troops should, by all means, have the right to defend themselves and shoot back.

.....

When I was in combat in the 1990's during Clinton's war(Bosnia), believe me, I shot back at anything that was shooting at me.

..........

[nwihoosier]

Knuckleheads:
Stopping the enemy,whatever their nationality, in Iraq from killing Americans and Iraqis is not 'starting a war with Iran'. Not stopping the infiltration has been a stupid policy that has gotten us in the current scenario. Obviously, your prejudice toward GWB determines your response, regardless of the level of stupidity.

[gmcnally2]

I am not a history buff, but didn't we stay out of WW2 because the people did not want to be at war? No one likes to be at war, but burying our heads in the sand will only allow the enemy to grow stronger and bolder. We will fight this war eventually. The Muslim faith has us listed as infidels, and we are to be killed because that is what is holy and right. Should we fight it now, or wait until they have more weapon technology and the zeal to use it whether it causes Armageddon or not? Seems like these comments are the same people making the same arguments on every story. Also, seems like insulting the current Administration is counter-productive. They are dong what they are doing for rational reasons. They are not stupid, they have a different perspective. We all need to try and see the other perspective and come up with a solution that addresses both sides. It is not simple and it will require compromise from both sides. I am glad that someone is taking our security seriously. I am glad that we are not leaving this mess to our children to fight.

[processor2]

GOOD

If Iran's agents' can kill American troops, then those same troops should, by all means, have the right to defend themselves and shoot back.

When I was in combat in the 1990's during Clinton's war (Bosnia), believe me, I shot back at anything that was shooting at me.

..........

[whatithink-2009]

How does that work again? Saddam kills his enemies = BAD. We kill our enemies = GOOD.

[johnshaft4]

Today, news portals are now reporting that Iran is set to assemble 1000's of centerfuges. Yesterday, it was Iran is testing rockets capaable of hurling ICBMs. Tomorrow, it will be that boat loads Iranians are enroute to our shores prepared to scream, "WHERE's ALL THE WHITE WOMEN?!".

The war propaganda being presently fed to us is brought to you by the SAME liars* that gave us NON EXISTENT Iraq WMD's.

*See ONGOING Scooter LIBBY Niger Yellow Cake CRIMINAL PERJURY TRIAL.

We won't get fooled again...

[whatithink-2009]

To JohnShaft4,

The only thing we accomplished by invading Iraq is helping to make Iran stronger in the region. When will people finally learn that the enemy that you know is far better than the one that you don't know. We've gone from fighting one person in Iraq to fighting who knows who.

[processor2]

The war propaganda being presently fed to us is brought to you by the SAME liars* that gave us NON EXISTENT Iraq WMD's.

Posted by JohnShaft4 at 09:59 AM : Jan 26, 2007



JohnShaft4.........how about these two quotes:

"Saddam Hussein has amassed chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, and is within months of developing nuclear weapons"

"make no mistake, Saddam Hussein is a threat to his neighbors and to the world"

Author: Bill Clinton Dec 18, 1998 in a televised speech to the nation.

........

Source: CNN archives

[processor2]

GOOD

If Iran's agents' can kill American troops, then those same troops should, by all means, have the right to defend themselves and shoot back.

When I was in combat in the 1990's during Clinton's war (Bosnia), believe me, I shot back at anything that was shooting at me.

..........

[shingles1]

"If Iran's agents' can kill American troops, then those same troops should, by all means, have the right to defend themselves and shoot back."

You're right, processor2, if that was true.
However, there's been no evidence whatsoever that this is what is happening. As the article states; "there is no evidence that these Iranian operatives have directly attacked U.S. forces in Iraq, the officials said."

[karlimhof]

WAR WITH IRAN "ONE THE WAY"

good ole Richard (the Lionheart, becuae he so brave about offering american lives to neocon voodoism) PERLE says in Jerusalem (his true HOME) that he has spoken with Bush and war is imminent.
Can anyone get this joker arrested ?????

[karlimhof]

processor2

Oh, I forgot, this war we're in was started by Clinton. Thanks for reminding me.

[shingles1]

So your point is that not only was George Bush wrong on WMD and the Iraqi "threat", but so too was Bill Clinton.

[BlueInWI]

This is all part of the GW/Cheney 'War at all costs' approach to foreign policy. We overthrow a secular government that balanced Iran's strength in the region (remember Reagan's weapons and $ for hostages to Iran at same time Rumsfeld was shaking hands and delivering weapons technology to Saddam in the early 80s).

Then we overthrow the secular government and create another ***** dominated government that is friendly toward Iran. Now that Iran starts working with the new government we created, we will use that as an excuse to attack Iran because it is gaining too much strength.

So, go to war to strengthen your enemies and destabilize the region so that you have more of an excuse to continue the war against the enemies you have strengthened. This is great for Halliburton and Cheney's 'blind trust' fund he will be leaving tax-free to his daughter and her partner and his new grandchild that is on the way...

[cbs_oliver]

So Americans are commanded to carry out acts of terrorism.

I have heard that this is intended to teach "them" proper "respect".

America seems to be conducting a foreign policy with a sense of dangerous triumphalism.

Too bad.

[johnshaft4]

Processor-
What is your point? Lies are lies regardless of whom is espousing them. In this case, it is PNAC/AEI war provoctauers disseminating phoney Israeli Likud part war propaganda to the gullable masses (*****).

[processor2]

GOOD

If Iran's agents' can kill American troops, then those same troops should, by all means, have the right to defend themselves and shoot back.

When I was in combat in the 1990's during Clinton's war (Bosnia), believe me, I shot back at anything that was shooting at me.

..........

[BlueInWI]

Re: "So your point is that not only was George Bush wrong on WMD and the Iraqi "threat", but so too was Bill Clinton."

But the guy who was really wrong off base was Ronald Reagan. Not only did he supply weapons to Iran in exchange for the hostages and $ that he could pipe to Nicaragua to feed the fascists there; but he also sent Rumsfeld to Baghdad to visit and shake hands with Saddam when we delivered weapons technology to Saddam.

At the same time Reagan also armed bin Laden as part of the Afghani resistance.

By the way, have they buried Reagan yet, or is his funeral still going on?....

Bill Clinton would have listened to experienced career diplomats and generals and not gotten us into this mess in Iraq. He wouldn't have 'retired' anyone who disagreed with his pre-conceived notions of the way things ought to be in ChimpWorld...

[johnshaft4]

bflong-
Right on! Succint and eloquent.
Just when are they going to bury Reagan? Good question indeed.

[whatithink-2009]

"Bill Clinton would have listened to experienced career diplomats and generals and not gotten us into this mess in Iraq."

- George Bush doesn't have to listen to anybody because he is a DECISION-MAKER. Hahaha

Who voted for this clown? And who are the 29% who still approve of this idiot?

[panhandlpete]

In this report....."In a recent Senate hearing, CIA director Gen. Michael V. Hayden noted that for the past three years, Iran has offered Shiite militias weapons and intelligence training and said there was a "striking" amount of Iranian-supplied materiel used against U.S. troops."

NOW, all of a sudden, it is priority issue to deal with.......especially since IRAN is in their sights, and the scared, sheepish public must be convinced. Remember the statement...."The insurgency is in its last throes"! Sure, we should believe everything they tell us....WRONG!

The 100 BILLION for Iraq, the 14.2 BILLION for Afghanistan (pipeline deal?) and BILLIONS to Israel (250,000 for each displaced family in the gaza strip), etc.,etc,......could be better spent in AMERICA for Americans. If we must BUY our friends and allies, and imprison ourselves to give us security, what kind of society do we have?

The idea that WAR must continue because 'we are not safe until we eliminate all Muslims who feel we are Infidels and must be killed" is so simplistic and unrealistic. Muslim is not a violent faith no more than Christianity; however, many, many million deaths have been attributed to both. The problem lies not within a FAITH, but with those who twist it to fit their own agenda.

[tuckerndfw]

Since when did the military need to be given permission to defend themselves?

IF Bozo Bush initiates hostilities against Iran and he is not IMMEDIATELY impeached, the US no longer has representative government and our "representatives" are our enemies.

As are Bozo's idiot supporters.

If they are so anxious to meet Jesus, we need to accomodate them.

[notblue]

Everytime a story like this is run the blind indifferance of the left to this threat is staggering. The fact that there are Americans who would rationalize this threat away with conspiracy theories or accusations directed at the present administration is nothing more than blind ignorance due to ideology. If every American were to adopt this self destructive passifism the country would not survive. Take a history lesson today and look back to world war two. If the left was in charge then we would all be speaking German, at the ones that survived.

[frankly6]

Bush is just trying to ratchet up tension with Iran so that he can widen the war.

[johnshaft4]

As evidenced by how well things have turned out for us in Afghan/Iraq, "The Decider's" DECISIONS SUCK...Why should we expect different results from the crazed der Fuhrer's Iran 'decisions'?

[tuckerndfw]

Bozo Bush and his supporters are a greater menace to the world than al qaida or any other terrorist, inclusive.

[frankly6]

notblue

A history lesson? First off this war and WW2 have little if anything in common. Secondly, during the time leading up to the war it was the liberals who were for coming to the aid of the Europeans and entering the war. Conservatives at that time took an isolationist stand.

[brackattack]

you guys can sit here and instult our great leader all you want doesnt bother me one bit that people are that stupid in this country..i'll support him till the next president takes office in Jan 2009

[frankly6]

usadvisor101

They forced Shinseki into early retirement because he advocated for more troops to secure Iraq.

[frankly6]

brackattacks

Why do you support him?

[brackattack]

well for 1 he has made progress on the "War on Terror" Saddam is dead..#2 i feel safer in american since 9/11. and hes smarter than people give him credit for...dont you all realize the dumb act is just that an act..for show.

[kphx]

Come on Iran, we are calling you for a tussle. Won't you take the bait ? We kidnapped your consul members from Kurdistan. You did not retaliate. We are sending more war ships to threaten you. You don't seem to take the bait on that either. Now we are openly saying we are going to kill an Iranian that we come across in Iraq. Come on. There is little time left for our president here to bomb you people. He is in the last leg of his term. Won't you please take the bait. We want to attack you at all costs. That's what our God Jesus wants us do. Nobody in that region wants us to start another war in their backyard. But we don't care.

War, War, War ....

[frankly6]

brackattacks

I'm glad you feel safer. Did you know that all sixteen of our own intelligence agencies have put out a report that says that both the # of terrorists and the # of terrorist attacks have increased world wide as a direct result of the invasion and occupation of Iraq? They go further to assert that all nations are less safe because the invasion is further radicalizing the muslim world. The Bush administration hid this report from the American people until someone of conscience leaked it.

This war has also taken our eyes off of the one who is really a threat and actually attacked us.

You are right. I don't think he's dumb eather. It may well be an act. I do however, think that he is hopelessly incompetent, stuborn and a little bit insane.

[whatithink-2009]

To brackattacks,

What exactly does Saddam and the "War on Terror" have to do with each other? I think you have confused Osama bin Laden with Saddam EXCEPT that Osama bin Laden is STILL FREE. Since he can't find the person responsible, going after one not responsible does not give me any security.

And you do realize that it took 8 years between the first WTC bombing and the 2nd?

[whatithink-2009]

To Frankly6,

You give him more credit than I do. He is an idiot. I guess giving the job to the most qualified person doesn't relate to the White House. Either that, or we are really in trouble if he is really the best person for this job that we can find in America.

[brackattack]

Sadam has alot to do with it he used osama and his people to attack us since we got anoter bush in office...because of Desert Storm.as a way to get even with daddy bush he attack the country now that we have a 2nd bush as leader

[kphx]

Where the hell "brackattacks" get his intelligence briefings ... from his pastor in the church ... "Saddam used Osama ...." LOL. No point in discussing further.

[processor2]

GOOD

If Iran's agents' can kill American troops, then those same troops should, by all means, have the right to defend themselves and shoot back.

When I was in combat in the 1990's during Clinton's war (Bosnia), believe me, I shot back at anything that was shooting at me.

..........

[brackattack]

#1 that comment was all wrong i dont believe in any for of religion you wont catch me in any church..#2 my statement is very obvious..but people are too blind to see things because the media blinds us

[frankly6]

"Sadam has alot to do with it he used osama and his people to attack us since we got another bush in office...because of Desert Storm."

Please tell us how you know this. The bi-partisan commission apointed by Bush has said that Sadam had abosolutely nothing to do with 9/11 or Osama. In fact Sadam and Osama were enemies.