U.S. Sees New Weapon In Iraq: Iranian EFPs

Military: Iranian Government Supplies "Explosively Formed Penetrators"

(CBS/AP)  U.S. military officials charged on Sunday that the highest levels of the Iranian leadership ordered Shiite militants in Iraq to be armed with sophisticated armor-piercing roadside bombs that have killed more than 170 American forces.

The military command in Baghdad denied, however, that any newly-smuggled Iranian weapons were behind the five U.S. military helicopter crashes since Jan. 20 — four that were shot out of the sky by insurgent gunfire.

A fifth chopper crash has tentatively been blamed on mechanical failure. In the same period, two private security company helicopters also have crashed but the cause was unclear.

The deadly and highly sophisticated weapons the U.S. military said were coming into Iraq from Iran are known as "explosively formed penetrators," or EFPs.

U.S. intelligence says the weapons are going to Shiite militias that include rogue elements of Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi army militia and a breakaway faction of the Badr Corps, the armed wing of a powerful Shiite party, reports CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan.

The Iraqi government not only knows but has asked the Iranian government to stop.

The presentation of evidence was the result of weeks of preparation and revisions as U.S. officials put together a package of material to support the Bush administration's claims of Iranian intercession on behalf of militant Iraqis fighting American forces.

Senior U.S. military officials in Baghdad said the display of evidence was prompted by the military's concern for "force protection," which, they said, was guaranteed under the United Nations resolution that authorizes American soldiers to be in Iraq.

Three senior military officials who explained the evidence said the "machining process" used in the construction of the deadly bombs had been traced back to Iran.

The experts, who spoke to a large gathering of reporters on condition that they not be further identified, said the supply trail began with Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, which also is accused of arming the Hezbollah guerrilla army in Lebanon. The officials said the EFP weapon was first tested there.

The officials said the Revolutionary Guard and its Quds force report directly to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The so-called Iran dossier, a small portion of which was revealed in Baghdad on Sunday, was revised heavily after officials decided it was not ready for release as planned last month. U.S. military officials in Baghdad had even scheduled a briefing for reporters only to cancel it a day later.

Senior U.S. officials in Washington — gun-shy after the drubbing the administration took for the faulty intelligence leading to the 2003 Iraq invasion — had held back because they were unhappy with the original presentation.

The display of evidence appeared to be part of the White House drive that has empowered U.S. forces in Iraq to use all means to curb Iranian influence in the country, including killing Iranian agents.

It included a Powerpoint slide presentation and a handful of mortar shells and rocket-propelled grenades which the military officials said were made in Iran.

The centerpiece of the evidentiary display, however, was a gray metal pipe about 10 inches long and 6 inches in diameter, the exterior casing of what the military said was an EFP, the roadside bomb that shoots out fist-sized wads of nearly-molten copper that can penetrate the armor on an Abrams tank.

The U.S. officials said there was no evidence of Iranian made EFPs having fallen into the hands of Sunni insurgents who operate mainly in Anbar province in the west of Iraq, Baghdad and regions surrounding the capital.

"We know more than we can show," said one of the senior officials, when pressed for more evidence that the EFPs were made in Iran.

[itchyb-2009]

This is the beginning of the "Gulf of Tonkin" strategy in Iraq. If one trusts the "intelliegence", which is a stretch, then the King will go after yet another state in the region, which the U.S. cannot possibly manage to do. I have no illusions that weapons from Iran, and probably numerous other countries in and out of the region, are present in Iraq, including IED's fabricated from the stockpiles of missing arms which disappeared soon after the invasion. The proof would be that Iran provided these diretly to folks inside Iraq; but alas, who needs proof? Grab your ankles...

[andymurph]

IRAN KILLED ELVIS!!!!!!!!

[skyk-2009]

Even if we assume that an Administration THIS TIME is telling us the truth, for the FIRST time, what the hell can we do about it? There is no doubt that Iran is trying to sucker us into a fight when we have at the helm the most Incompetent pathetic losers in our history. If I were the enmey that's certainly what I would do. Our military is extended to the breaking point and the National Debt approaches Bankruptcy because of the INCOMEPENCE of Bush right NOW. But when you are as STUPID as Bush obviously is and when your nothing but an Alcoholic who's used to being at the end of the bar shouting "Bring em' On" he'll most certainly take the bait. We need to put control of this nation in the hands of others until we can change our Commander in Chief PERIOD!!

[lars008-2009]

Ali Sina, an ex-Muslim from Iran. He is the creator of Faithfreedom.org.
Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined. Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sina/why_i_left_islam.htm

[lars008-2009]

Terrorism Awareness Project to wake up Americans and the World
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/islamic-mein-kampf

[inventagod]

The Bu$hieman is feeding you your Sunday dose of Pentagoon Propaganda.
If you worship with Dubya, you pray with the biggest liar and mass-murderer of our generation.
This is an administration of hyper-hawk, PNAC bullies, corporate boot-lickers and thugs.
And now the failure of the Iraq oil invasion is the fault of Iran leaders?
Jeezus Krist, wake up America!

[tuckerndfw]

Saddam Hussein has an atomic bomb he is going to drop on New York City!!!

Hurry, hurry, let's rush to war!!!!

(well, let's rush someone else off to war).

Anyone who believes anything this administration claims is a moron.

George Bush is the most corrupt & incompetent president in US history.

And, a pathological liar who has never let the truth pass through his lips.

He should be in prison.

[tuckerndfw]

Sounds like a good reason to remove our troops now that Iran has taken responsibility for Iraq's security.

No reason to leave US forces in Iraq now that they have security provided by their neighbors.

[hardlynormal-2009]

There goes our intellegence agen, Administration acusing now Iran of doing something, Havent we learned NOT TO TRUST this adminastration YET?. they were Wrong about Iraq and and Bush trying to start up a war with Iran. you why now Bush wants to cut medicade and medicare ?. because of all the money he keeps spending on his wars over seas.

[condumism]

US PROVES NO WMD's in IRAQ, then acts like a child by trying to change teh subject and instead talk about Iran. SO TYPICAL of the REPUBLICON NAZI!

[nyckate]

you mean that Bush Admin ready to admit that the shiites in iraq and iran are working together?/ get out of here - Bush be joking, right??!! I'd laugh but the complete stupidity of this administration has caused too much harm by their lack of common sense, intelligence and honesty.

Oh - and in case its news to Bush - the Sunnis in Saudi Arabia are aiding the Sunnis in Iraq too.

Seesh.

[jabberwock11]

"Ali Sina, an ex-Muslim from Iran. He is the creator of Faithfreedom.org.
Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined. Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world."

I have an even better idea. We can eradicate every man woman and child on the planet. That way their will be peace in the Human world. What do you think?

[feelfree1]

Dear CBS:

Re: "The officer, briefing reporters on condition he not be further identified"

Could you please create a "dark comedy" section for wothless articles such as this one- an article that apparently has no author, and contains open lies and dangerous propaganda, disseminated by "unnamed officers" who lack the testicles to even take responsibility for the garbage they present?

Thanks in advance.

[bluestardad]

feelfree1; America loves you keep speaking truth! Go to comments on cbs news bottom of page and tell CBS in person! Great work!

[bluestardad]

How many Americans are the Saudi Arabian supporters killing in the West of Iraq as the Saudis are supporting the Sunnis! Oh they are Bush supporters so no one says anything about them.

[feelfree1]

bluestardad,

Thanks. Good too see you.

[bluestardad]

The Saudi Arabian Government is providing financial, military and personnel aid to the Sunni insurgents also. When will the American Media and Government hold equally accountable the other people feeding insurgents in the Iraq war? We never hear President Bush or the media demanding they Saudi back off its support to the Sunni insurgents as he does his rhetoric against the Iranians. 15 of the 19 hijackers that hit us on September 11, 2001 were from Saudi and so was Bin Laden! President Bush let the family of Bin Laden fly out of America after the attacks of 9/11! Bin Laden%u2019s son and other family members are hiding in Iran at our concurrence! These Saudis are friends of the Bush family! But they are still killing American Soldiers. The American people have spoken on November 7, 2006 and demand that our elected officials pull our troops out of Iraq and start negotiations with all countries in the region on an equal basis. Quit pushing America bad information trying to go to war with Iran!

[lars008-2009]

for those that can read, they know he is iranian, for those that can't, i suggest you kick your mullah'sarse for not teaching you to read....... lol

Ali Sina, an ex-Muslim from Iran. He is the creator of Faithfreedom.org.
Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined. Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sina/why_i_left_islam.htm

[lars008-2009]

Terrorism Awareness Project to wake up Americans and the World
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/islamic-mein-kampf

[ammianus]

The Sorrows of Young Dumus, Art. XVII:
Yet all might have been well had the Saaudi fulfilled their side of the agreement. In the event, they were neither able nor willing to restrain their subjects within Al Ghazna. Only when Dumus the Younger first learned of the attacks on his capitols (A. J. 6715, 23 Lo:os,), did he realize that his longstanding allies had betrayed him. Retaliation was prevented by an agreement documented in various incontrovertible forms (J-B. E. Roppe, op. cit., p. 361). Were the pact published, it would be clear to all that the order for deliberate inattention enabled the success of attacks that would otherwise have been thwarted through the customary operations of the Hegemon agents. The world would know that the greatest atrocity yet perpetrated on the Continent Hesperides was made possible by the gullibility, by the incompetence, and by the alien loyalties of the Dumus administration.
It is said that a second pact quickly followed. The lieutenants of ibn Shaitan, his family and friends (all proximate to the Saaud throne) were in possession of the documentation above mentioned. They vowed to publish if ibn Shaitan were ever killed or captured or if any of their number were detained for questioning. The House of Dumus capitulated, undertaking to immediately evacuate ibn Shaitan associates still on the Continent, prevent the death or capture of ibn Shaitan himself and deflect public attention from him.

[randalds]

And the beat goes on. What a fu*cking joke. What a sick murderous bloody ****king joke.

[bluestardad]

The middle east is not in Americas interest! Pull out 50 years of investment in blood, money, and effort has proven no results! Lets interupt your ignorance with some facts! Israel and Saudi neocons are pushing us to war!

Founded in 1953 by Isaiah L. "Si" Kenen, AIPAC's original name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. According to UCLA political science professor and author, Steven Spiegel, "the tension between the Eisenhower administration and Israeli supporters was so acute that there were rumors that the administration would investigate the American Zionist Council. Therefore, an independent lobbying committee was formed, which years later was renamed [AIPAC]." [SPIEGEL, p. 52].[citation needed] Today, AIPAC has over 100,000 members.[1]
Activities and stated goals
AIPAC's stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation "to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong so that both countries can work together" to meet the challenges of "stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, fighting terrorism and achieving peace".[2] It regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. It also provides analysis of the voting records of U.S. federal representatives and senators with regard to how they voted on legislation related to Israel. The New York Times described AIPAC on July 6, 1987 as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East."

[cbs_oliver]

I think I would like to know about US forces active inside Iran and US agents kidnapping and assassinating of Iranian diplomats and businessmen and such in various countries.

There is also the ongoing economic warfare against Iran which is actually sanctioned by the UN - go figure.

The US government including the intelligence services and the military have so dishonored themselves recently that it is not prudent to trust anything they say without independent confirmation.

[lars008-2009]

so many stupid silly little fascist nazi islamic muslims pretending to be liberal americans hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

tell haji..... did you guys really teach hitler how to be a fascist nazi????

i thought so........

[lars008-2009]

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

[lars008-2009]

ISLAM EMPTIES BETHLEHEM OF CHRISTIANS
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printab
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36406

'Greedy monsters' ruled church

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
BETHLEHEM, West Bank %u2014 The Palestinian gunmen holed up in the Church of the Nativity and later deported by Israel seized church stockpiles of food and "ate like greedy monsters" until the food ran out, while more than 150 civilians went hungry.
They also guzzled beer, wine and Johnnie Walker scotch that they found in priests' quarters, undeterred by the Islamic ban on drinking alcohol.
Angry Orthodox priests yesterday showed two reporters about 20 empty bottles of whiskey, champagne, vodka, cognac and French wine on a kitchen shelf and on the floor of two rooms.
"They should be ashamed of themselves. They acted like animals, like greedy monsters. Come, I will show you more," said one priest, who declined to give his name.
"Palestinians took candelabra, icons and anything that looked like gold," said a Franciscan, the Rev. Nicholas Marquez from Mexico.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20020515-89391238.htm

[feelfree1]

If we are to take a stand against a country that has no respect for the rule of law or for basic decency, regularly imprisons, tortures, and executes innocent civilians, including children and peaceful demonstrators, has a chronic and proven policy of using "human shields", regularly threatens and attacks their neighbors, has spied on and weakened the U.S., has a stockpile of nuclear weapons, and is run by bloodthirsty deluded religious extremists, we need look no further than the rogue terror-State of Israel.

How will we defend ourselves against these run-amok, hate-blinded butchers? Shouldn't we at least stop sending billions and billions of U.S. tax dollar welfare payments to them, year after year?

[lars008-2009]

how long have you been a member of hez-balless-ah haji....

COWARDLY HEZ-BALLESS-AH HIDES BEHIND...
WOMEN AND CHILDREN...............

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/blog/israel_palestine_cartoon.gif
Hezbollah was using UN post as 'shield'
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=37278180-a261-421d-84a9-7f94d5fc6d50

U.N. CHIEF CALLS HEZ-BALLESS-AH COWARDS
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1153291989232

[feelfree1]

hamiltongrad,

You have already volunteered to join the fight on a related thread.

When do you ship out, oh brave one?

Your straight-ahead racism should serve you well, in your crusade against brown people.

[jw218389]

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

Is Colin Powell going to come out retirement to trash his reputation one more time???

I still remember Bush's (via Powell) big song and doance at the UN where he showed pictures of trailers and said they were "mobile chemical weapons" factories...

DIDN'T WE LEARN WITH IRAQ THAT BUSH LIES!!!!??

[lars008-2009]

so many stupid silly little fascist nazi islamic muslim murderer collaborators.....

'Obsession'
Documentary gives insight into radical Islam%u2019s global threat
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?110506/110506_fnl_obsession&%27Obsession%27&FNL&Documentary%20gives%20insight%20into%20radical%20Islam%92s%20global%20threat&Foxlife&-1&%27Obsession%27&Video%20Launch%20Page&News
http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/12min.htm
http://myspace.com/waragainstthewest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BL4-mxE87w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpcpEQtgp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUqXSeCDJc

[feelfree1]

hamiltongrad,

Re: "then you support the state of Is"

Did you mean 'the state of Israhell?'

[dallison7]

These people have a 'tribal' identy and no 'national' identy. They are Shiites who just happen to live on the other side of an 'imaginery' line that we call a border. They are no more 'Iranian' than they are Irish. One tribe killing another tribe. Americans are dying because they are in the middle of the fight. The only 'sane' solution for the United States is to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible and let them fight it out as they have been for fifteen hundred years. If we meddle in their affairs, they will want to kill us, if we leave them alone with their barbarism they will occupy themselves with their tasks at hand. In 2000 Al Gore attempted to direct our country's thinking toward alternative energy sources. Think what might be now if back then we had dedicated the 'wasted' $500 BILLION to that purpose. Stop being stupid and listening to the insanity. Iraq had no interest in attacking the US. Iran has no interest in attacking the US. The Shiites and the Sunnis want to kill each other. LET THEM!!

[lars008-2009]

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Infamy Speech
December 8, 1941/September 12, 2001
The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God

[jw218389]

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

Is Colin Powell going to come out of retirement to trash his reputation one more time???

I still remember Bush's (via Powell) big song and dance at the UN where he showed pictures of trailers and said they were "mobile chemical weapons" factories...

DIDN'T WE LEARN WITH IRAQ THAT BUSH LIES!!!!??

[randalds]

I still remember Bush's (via Powell) big song and dance at the UN where he showed pictures of trailers and said they were "mobile chemical weapons" factories...

DIDN'T WE LEARN WITH IRAQ THAT BUSH LIES!!!!??

Posted by jw218389 at 03:37 PM : Feb 11, 2007

And they turned out to be helium weather balloon support trucks. At least Powell had the good graces to quit, even though it was far too late by the time he realized he was nothing more then a token to Bush and company.

[lars008-2009]

so many stupid silly little fascist nazi islamic muslim murderering collaborator.... just like the fascist nazi germany collaborators.....

islam is a violation of international law

islam practices slavery on non muslims
islam practices aparthied on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices rape on babies and animals
islam practices genocide on non muslims

all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity

[thgdriver]

I see a burning tank and a dead crew and say "I hope we made the ones who did it pay a heavy price then and now".

Others here see the same thing and post about everything else but.

[jimfinster]

Well, surprise surprise. Assuming this is true, it is just another easily forseen result of going into Iraq.

[feelfree1]

Another U.S. helicopter reportedly shot down in Iraq:

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/11/AR2007021100339.html

Our military leaders have recently claimed to have already adjusted their tactics with respect to helicopter use, yet more of them than ever are being shot out of the sky.

Are our military commanders really this inept, or is the U.S. situation in Iraq deteriorating even more rapidly than we previously thought? Or both?

[duffyn]

I see a massive attack on Baghdad by thousands of tomahawk missles and smart bombs that was shown over and over again on TV all around the world. I really hope who did that doesn't have to pay the price.

Prepare for an attack on Iran. Whoever believes bush and the boy n girls are truely stupid. Then prepare for the price of that.

And I truly hope we don't lose it all over in the M.E.

[acauble1]

The Bush administration accuses Iran of arming and financing the Shiite militias, but why doesn't the administration make the same noise about wealthy Saudi families financing the Sunni insurgents??!!

Oh, that's right.......... the Saudis are Bush's friends!

The first and final question that should be asked of our presidential candidates:

"Are you friends with any government and/or family from the Middle East?"

If the answer is "yes" then that should automatically DISQUALIFY THEM!

[lars008-2009]

you stupid silly little fascist nazi islamic muslim murderers wanted to fight us non muslims..... well you got it in spades haji....

you stupid silly little fascist nazi islamic muslim murderers have been killing non muslim civilians around the world.... now you are going to pay......

Ali Sina, an ex-Muslim from Iran. He is the creator of Faithfreedom.org.
Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined. Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sina/why_i_left_islam.htm

[duffyn]

And... This is not news on the Iran IED's. This was pointed out well over a year ago. I wonder why they are making a big deal of it now???

Gee, duhh, yeah, I really wonder.

Sure glad lars008 is not the news editor of a really big news station!! Talking about spreading hate and bs!!!!

[acauble1]

-- lars008, you wrote:

"Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined."

In order to have real peace in the world WE NEED TO ERADICATE EVERY RELIGION!!!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to start a fire in my fireplace. I'm using a Quran, a Bible, and a Torah to help stoke the flames!

[condumism]

Congress must ACT NOW by forbidding any Company from making profit off of US taxpayers in time of war. This will put an immediate end to ALL US AGRESSION!

[feelfree1]

condumism,

Re: "Congress must ACT NOW by forbidding any Company from making profit off of US taxpayers in time of war. This will put an immediate end to ALL US AGRESSION!"

That is an excellent suggestion.

Please consider signing/passing-on this petition:

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow

[gdmoore2]

Newsweek is reporting a third carrier task group is enroute to the Persian Gulf (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17086418/site/newsweek/). Its deja vu all over again.

[sharncedar]

"I see a burning tank and a dead crew and say "I hope we made the ones who did it pay a heavy price then and now"."

Vengeance is ultimately worthless. You never get the real guilty ones, you always end up hurting some other innocent. Long time taught me that.

So I see no usefulness in punishing the killers of our soliders, who is Bush and the defense industry. Yes, they used our American soliders as cannon fodder, putting them in a hopeless cause in harm's way to sell more *** to American taxpayers (can't sell more bombs less you use the ones you got). it was cynical, cold, and selfish like evil usually is.

What is the point of revenge now? Why do you call for revenge against those who caused the death of those American soldiers, those Republican chicke-hawks who landed good honest Americans right in the middle of a civil war? Why revenge though, i would settle for removing them from power and from earth for all time. Isn't that enough. We don't need to be punitive, just preventative, there has been enough violence.

[lars008-2009]

acauble1

I DO NOT FEAR GOD.......

I FEAR THOSE WHOM CLAIM TO SPEAK FOR GOD.....

it is the fascist nazi islamic muslims that are killing civilians around the world for their moon god allah.....

islam is a violation of international law

islam practices slavery on non muslims
islam practices aparthied on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices rape on babies and animals
islam practices genocide on non muslims

all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity