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BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 11, 2007

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

Military: Iranian Government Supplies "Explosively Formed Penetrators"

By Scott Conroy
  • Play CBS Video Video Iranian Diplomat Missing

    Iran is accusing the U.S. of kidnapping Jalal Sharafi, one of its envoys. The U.S. claims it doesn't have him in custody, and tensions are mounting between the two countries. Lara Logan reports.

  • Video U.S. Blames Iran For Bombs

    The U.S. government is accusing Iran of ordering Shi'ite militants in Iraq to arm themselves with bombs meant for Americans. Lara Logan reports.

    • A U.S. Army Abrams battle tank, destroyed east of Baghdad on March 10, 2006, after a large explosion set fire to it. The U.S. military alleges that sophisticated bombs (referred to as

      A U.S. Army Abrams battle tank, destroyed east of Baghdad on March 10, 2006, after a large explosion set fire to it. The U.S. military alleges that sophisticated bombs (referred to as "explosively formed projectiles") used in such attacks can be traced to Iran.  (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

    • An Iraqi army soldier secures the site where a car bomb exploded at Baghdad's al-Mansur neighbourhood, February 11, 2007. At least one person was killed and three others were wounded in the blast.

      An Iraqi army soldier secures the site where a car bomb exploded at Baghdad's al-Mansur neighbourhood, February 11, 2007. At least one person was killed and three others were wounded in the blast.  (Getty Images/AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)

    • Iraqi Arab tribal leaders attend a meeting in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, February 10, 2007. The residents of Kirkuk threatened today to go on a general strike to protest against the decision to relocate them.

      Iraqi Arab tribal leaders attend a meeting in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, February 10, 2007. The residents of Kirkuk threatened today to go on a general strike to protest against the decision to relocate them.  (Getty Images/AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

    • U.S. officials are denying eyewitness reports that another U.S. helicopter has been downed in Iraq, near the Taji air base.

      U.S. officials are denying eyewitness reports that another U.S. helicopter has been downed in Iraq, near the Taji air base.  (Getty Images/AFP/Sabah Arar)

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(CBS/AP)  An intelligence analyst in the group said Iran was working through "multiple surrogates" — mainly in the Mahdi Army — to smuggle the EFPs into Iraq. He said most of the components are entering the country at crossing points near Amarah, the Iranian border city of Meran and the Basra area of southern Iraq.

Last week, U.S. officials said they were investigating allegations that Shiite lawmaker Jamal Jaafar Mohammed was a main conduit for Iranian weapons entering the country. Mohammed has believed to have fled to Iran.

U.S. officials have alleged for years that weapons were entering the country from Iran but had until Sunday stopped short of alleging involvement by top Iranian leaders.

During the briefing, a senior defense official said that one of the six Iranians detained in January in the northern city of Irbil was the operational commander of the Quds Force.

He was identified as Mohsin Chizari, who was apprehended after slipping back into Iraq after a 10-month absence, the officer said.

The Iranians were caught trying to flush documents down the toilet, he said. They had also tried to change their appearance by shaving their heads. Bags of their hair were found during the raid, he said.

The dates of manufacture on weapons found so far indicate they were made after the fall of Saddam Hussein — mostly in 2006, the officials said.

In a separate briefing, Maj. Gen. Jim Simmons, deputy commander of Multinational Corps-Iraq, said that since December 2004, U.S. helicopter pilots have been shot at on average about 100 times a month and been hit on an average of 17 times in the same period.

He disclosed a previously-unknown shootdown, a Blackhawk helicopter hit by small arms fire near the western city of Hit. The craft crash-landed but there were no casualties. Simmons was on board.

The major general said Iraqi militants are known to have SA-7, SA-14 and SA-16 shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles but none of the most recent five military crashes were caused by those weapons. He said some previous crashes had been a result of such missiles but would not elaborate.

As road travel has become unacceptably dangerous in Iraq, U.S. forces increasingly have turned to helicopters for transportation of troops and supplies. Simmons said U.S. helicopters were in the air for 240,000 hours in 2005 and he estimated the total figure this year would reach 400,000 hours.

In Other Developments:

  • Another American death in Iraq has pushed the U.S. death toll for the war to at least 3,121. Thirty-seven American troops have died so far this month. Commanders in Baghdad say the soldier killed was a member or Task Force Lightning and was hit by small arms fire during combat operations yesterday in Diyala province. That's the same region
    where three other soldiers were killed in an explosion Friday while
    searching for weapons and clearing a building.

  • A suicide truck bomber slammed into a crowd of police lining up for duty Sunday near Tikrit, killing at least 30 people and wounding 50, police said. Minutes later, a roadside bomb struck a car on a highway on the western outskirts of Tikrit, 80 miles north of Baghdad, killing two civilians and wounding two others, police said.

  • The U.S. military said Sunday it has no reports of a helicopter going down after witnesses reported an Apache had crashed north of Baghdad. Witnesses and police said the helicopter was shot down on Sunday, sending a plume of smoke into the air near the Bani Tamim village, in the area around the Taji air base, 12 miles north of Baghdad. Lt. Col. Josslyn Aberle, a U.S. military spokeswoman, said initial reports did not find that a helicopter had gone down, but she said the military would do another check to be sure.

  • A parked car bomb exploded near an intersection in Baghdad's Mansour neighborhood, killing two people and wounding three, police said. Mansour is an upscale western area that has been the scene of repeated bombings and kidnappings.

  • A suicide bomber blew himself up next to a police patrol in the religiously mixed southwestern neighbourhood of al-Ilam, killing one policeman, police said. The blast caused slight damage to a nearby mosque.

  • Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Iraqi security forces would deploy in force this week as part of a U.S.-backed security sweep aimed at stopping the violence in the capital. Al-Maliki was facing criticism that delays in starting the operation have allowed attacks that have killed hundreds over the past few weeks.


    © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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    More From Iraq After Saddam

    Add a Comment See all 218 Comments
    by stick130 February 13, 2007 8:18 AM EST
    Wonder where they will find the Soldiers to invade Iran? I think Dubya bit off more than he can chew. If the "Decider" would leave the decisions to the military experts our soldiers could fight without one hand tied to their back.
    Reply to this comment
    by formrusmcsgt February 12, 2007 11:09 AM EST
    This is a silly message board and it amazes me how many people use it as a combat zone against those who oppose of their views.

    So silly!
    Posted by singinrick at 08:06 AM : Feb 12, 2007

    This really hilarious coming from you, preacherman.
    Reply to this comment
    by formrusmcsgt February 12, 2007 9:51 AM EST
    Bush has no intention of talking to Iran: Powell

    Press Trust of India

    New York, February 12, 2007


    While the Bush administration has insisted it has no intention of starting a war with Iran, a former United States Secretary of State claims President George W Bush never had any interest in negotiating with the Persian Gulf country.

    Powell stressed that it was not possible to negotiate when you tell the other side "Give us what a negotiation would produce before the negotiations start".

    The magazine also quotes another former White House National Security director and Persian Gulf Affairs Hillary Mann as saying that some Bush advisers secretly want an "excuse to attack Iran".

    "They intend to be as provocative as possible and make the Iranian do something (America) would be forced to retaliate," she said.

    Reply to this comment
    by formrusmcsgt February 12, 2007 9:48 AM EST
    "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 ...."

    I'll need some proof of this allegation before I accept it as being true. As we learned in 2002, this administration will say anything, true or not, to advance it's agenda.
    Reply to this comment
    by bluestardad February 12, 2007 9:40 AM EST
    This is the contact address for your Senator! Send them a message of your opinion. All Class Two Senators are up for Reelection in 2008. firststatehttp://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
    Reply to this comment
    by firststate February 12, 2007 7:19 AM EST
    singinrick thanks but this is an example of people remembering something incorrectly and repeating the self-edited version.
    The following is a direct quote from the article by Ian Urbina in the 01/28/07 edition

    "There were a few tense moments, however, including an encounter involving Joshua Sparling, 25, who was on crutches and who said he was a corporal with the 82nd Airborne Division and lost his right leg below the knee in Ramadi, Iraq. Mr. Sparling spoke at a smaller rally held earlier in the day at the United States Navy Memorial, and voiced his support for the administration's policies in Iraq.

    Later, as antiwar protesters passed where he and his group were standing, words were exchanged and one of the antiwar protestors spit at the ground near Mr. Sparling; he spit back.

    Capitol police made the antiwar protestors walk farther away from the counterprotesters."

    The text agrees with that on michellemalkin, freerepublic.com and the lonestartimes.com sites. They all say that ONE of the protestors spat AT THE GROUND NEAR Mr. Sparling.

    That's not spitting at our servicemen.

    As I mentioned it's gonna become urban legend.

    Since I know that you are honorable, I'm sure that at least, you won't mis-tell the story again.
    Good Night
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:59 AM EST
    "Feel free to have you or one of your numerous personalities reply."
    mcdazz

    Don't worry fellow patriot. I am SearingTruth, and the person you reference is just one of many who attempt to imitate my moniker for illicit personal gain.

    You notice that "singinrick" always runs when I show up. No substance, no thought, no courage.
    ST

    A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:47 AM EST
    "They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759

    "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
    Benjamin Franklin (attributed), at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776


    A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:43 AM EST
    "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
    Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776

    A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by February 12, 2007 6:39 AM EST
    singingrick:

    I read your post singingrick.

    Once again, you say one thing, and yet, you display your true character by doing the opposite.

    How many times have you posted your anti-muslim hate comments today?

    How many times have posted to that horrid website featuring the beheading of American citizens?

    You really are a sick, hate filled puppy.

    While I'm sure Jesus is forgiving, I think even he'd think twice about you and fake christian ways.

    You better start praying singingrick, because you're going to need his forgiveness.

    Feel free to have you or one of your numerous personalities reply.
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:38 AM EST
    "No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity."
    James Madison, Federalist No. 10, November 23, 1787

    A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by February 12, 2007 6:35 AM EST
    grazinggoat wrote:

    "McDazz
    U must be a psychologist. I think you're right. This fairyTales believer is quite a case. He shows constance all day long and at 3AM.

    My firm belief is lars008 and warryingpriest are related, but one can add joyous-singirick, little-dreamin'girl, and finally faisy-tale teller. The other side of his personnality, can spell as follow: blood-sucker, bigot, liar, butcher... Can you confirm?"

    lol - I can recognize their traits all right.

    I feel sorry for them.
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:33 AM EST
    "Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it."
    John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776

    "Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks-no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea, if there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them."
    James Madison, speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 20, 1788

    A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:29 AM EST
    "But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."
    John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775

    A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by February 12, 2007 6:15 AM EST
    singinrick wrote:

    "Nope, I just know who the real enemy is mcdazz.

    Honestly mcdazz, I feel very sorry for you, because you are completely lost in a world of lies and deceipt. It's very sad.

    You know what I hate, that American citizens refuse to look at the true threat to our society in these radicals. I don't hate them, I hate the sin."

    No, singingrick/lars008/trueprogress, I feel sorry for you.

    You should let Jesus into your heart, repent and request forgiveness for your sins.

    Only then will you be able to put the hatred of Islam behind you and move on.

    I wish you well - I really do.

    I hope you find Jesus.
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:14 AM EST
    "One of the greatest tragedies of our existence is that we are a people united by so many common goals, but divided by so many uncommon beliefs.

    I believe that our goals are more important. We all want to be free. We all want our children to be healthy and happy. Most all of us want peace so long as our own rights are protected.

    These are the ideals that we can all strive for together. These are the threads of humanity that cannot be torn apart."
    SearingTruth

    A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by firststate February 12, 2007 6:14 AM EST
    Singinrick said, "They already do....see the last war protest in Washington DC when they were spitting at our servicemen! It's already occurring."

    Rick I have to disagree with this particular statement. I read the direct quotes from some of the anti-protest demonstrators who said that someone spat on the ground in front of their feet. I haven't found a source with video or even audio of the event though, so it's probably going to be an urban legend. Do you have a more definitive source?
    Reply to this comment
    by grazinggoat February 12, 2007 6:13 AM EST
    McDazz
    U must be a psychologist. I think you're right. This fairyTales believer is quite a case. He shows constance all day long and at 3AM.

    My firm belief is lars008 and warryingpriest are related, but one can add joyous-singirick, little-dreamin'girl, and finally faisy-tale teller. The other side of his personnality, can spell as follow: blood-sucker, bigot, liar, butcher... Can you confirm?
    Reply to this comment
    by searingtruth February 12, 2007 6:10 AM EST
    Mirror

    My friends, sometimes the most difficult thing about fighting evil is realizing that it actually exists, and then unambiguously and forcefully calling it what it is.

    History shows time and time again that one of evils greatest strengths is its ability to disguise itself as good, or at least a temporary necessity, until that last fatal moment when its revelation becomes clear, indisputable, and inescapable.

    So today let us take a clear and unadulterated look into the mirror at ourselves.

    Just six years ago we were one of the most respected and admired defenders of democracy and human rights in history. Respected not only by our friends, but even begrudgingly by most of our enemies. In fact, even the fantastic power of our military paled in comparison to the overwhelming might of our moral authority.

    Today we are a nation that operates secret prisons occupied by anonymous inmates, illegally abducted and held indefinitely without charge or representation. We are guilty of torture. We are guilty of murder. We are guilty of preemptive war of conquest. We are guilty of the wholesale surveillance of our population, suppressing all hope of privacy and free dissent. And we are guilty of disgracing our nation through the abandonment of even our most basic precepts of morality.

    If this is not evil, then nothing we have ever fought against is evil, and nothing we have ever fought for is good.


    Exerpt from A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
    Reply to this comment
    by February 12, 2007 6:06 AM EST
    singingrick/lars008/trueprogress (whatever personality you want to be today) wrote:

    "I feel sorry for you because you are so lost because of the lies of radical Islam."

    It's your hatred of Islam that has seen you become one of the "lost" singinrick/lars008/trueprogress.

    You have lost your way - hatred has filled your heart and Jesus won't accept you with hatred in your heart.
    Reply to this comment
    See all 218 Comments

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