Cooperation Rises between Iran and Taliban

As Tensions with United States Escalate, Iran Supplying the Taliban with Money, Weapons to Fuel Fight

(CBS)  The ancient city of Herat is Afghanistan's best-kept secret.

For years, it has enjoyed 24-hour electricity and a booming economy, reports CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan.

But it's not thanks to U.S. efforts - it's all because of Iran.

The city lies right on Afghanistan's border with Iran, fueling strong economic ties. But lately Iran's been making a different kind-of investment - one increasingly worrying to the United States: it's backing the Taliban.

A soldier from 7th Group Special Forces finds rocket propelled grenades in a hard-core Taliban village that he knows from experience, are made in Iran.

"Like right here, it says 82 mm "h-e" lot 02 slash 87," the solider said. "The Iranians pretty much copy all of our ordinance, pretty much verbatim. They'll even put English writing on there. But these lot numbers you'll never see a U.S. lot number like that."

The find confirms what U.S. commanders and troops in Afghanistan are seeing more often - a rise in the level of cooperation between Iran and the Taliban.

"I think Iran feels threatened," said David Kilcullen, a counterinsurgency expert. "And I think it feels that its interests are best served by being able to hurt the United States in Afghanistan."

Video: Afghan City's Strong Ties to Iran

CBS News Special Report: The Road Ahead

The west of Afghanistan, bordering Iran, is fast becoming a graveyard for U.S. forces. U.S. deaths there have spiked from four a year since the war began, to 13 in the last five months alone.

U.S. military officials have told CBS News that Iran is sending money and weapons onto the Afghan battlefield. But U.S. commanders are not allowed to comment publicly and it's unclear to them what the U.S. strategy is for dealing with Iran's increasingly deadly involvement.

The deadliest form of roadside bomb on the Iraqi battlefield - explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) - is now being found in Afghanistan.

Lethal armor piercing bombs that can slice through U.S. humvees are also an Iranian specialty.

More worrying still: U.S. intelligence believes Iran is supplying surface to air missiles to the Taliban - the very same weapon the U.S. supplied to the Afghan resistance to bring down the Russians.

"We are losing this war every day," said Bruce Reidel, with Brookings.

Reidel led the Obama Administration's strategy review of Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier this year. But he's also worried about Iran.

"It's clear that U.S.-Iranian relations now are going to go into an increasingly difficult period," Reidel said. "If I was sitting in Teheran, I'd be looking for the place where you could hurt the Americans the most and that's Obama's war right next door in Afghanistan."

Iran knows the U.S. is already stretched to the limit in southern and eastern Afghanistan, so opening a new front in the west can only make it even more difficult for the U.S. to succeed.

"It is more violent already but it could get a lot more violent yet," Reidel said. "In a sense Iran has fired a few warning shots across our bow."

That growing Iranian threat means there is even more at stake for the U.S. in Afghanistan than ever before.

More coverage on CBSNews.com:

Rebuilding Afghanistan, One Day at a Time
Taliban Gaining Firepower and Confidence
Public's Views of Afghanistan War Have Turned Sour
Unplugged: Afghan War Strategy
A Soldier's Last Letter From Afghanistan
Afghan Election Recount Begins
8 GIs Killed as Afghan Strategy Debated
Wanat Probe a Reminder Amid Troop Debate
Zinni: Don't Delay Decision on Afghan War

[wyodutch]

Baloney!
.
The Mad Hatters tried to blame Iran for bringing-in anti-tank mines that were shredding our armored vehicles. It turned out that the mines were Italian anti-tank mines that the CIA had provided to the Afghani resistance when it was the Russians they were fighting.
.
'Course... With our economy in the toilet... massive unemployment and mega-trillion dollar national debt... It's always a good idea to come up with a foreign enemy to divert attention to.

[jefleshman]

wydutch

I am not disagreeing with you. I would just like to know what source did you use for the Italian anti tank mines? I would like to read it Also.

Thank you.

[Orlandojon]

We have known that Iran supplies our enemies all over the world, yet we do nothing to stop it. We should be blockading all ships and planes leaving Iran bound for NK, Iraq and now Afghanistan. Obama wants to talk with Iran now. We have become the joke of the entire world

[whatdableep]

More Neo-Con propaganda!

[jefleshman]

Just a thought. Nations around the world like the US test their military technology all the time. It is just a fact. The selling of arms would not be such a big business if it wasn?t. When there is conflict how do you test your latest and greatest proto type munitions and military grade weapons or counter measures? What better way than ?In the Field?.

Though CBS did not prove it. The fact of the matter is the story is probably very true. I am sure many nations are seeing what their arsenal can do worldwide against US military vehicles, aircraft, and soldiers here in Afghanistan.

When you?re the most technologically advanced military everyone wants to try to ?defeat your technology?. However, technology and equipment is not what makes our military great. It is the American Citizen who chooses to serve freely and raises their hand that makes us great!

So do not believe the media propaganda machine who only wants to promote doom and gloom and failure for sensationalism. We make progress every single day here in Afghanistan as do the people of Afghanistan who are joining their cause for freedom as well by the thousands. Freely raising their hands in support of their freely elected government by joining their national security forces.

With the family, friends and good citizens support back home how can we ever fail? We serve for you and because we cherish the freedoms that our great country has. We never wants to loss our freedoms and way of life to the terrorists.

Thank you for reading.

[decotoguy]

lets see,in the 80's America helped the FREEDOM FIGHTERS war against
the SOVIETS,now that"GEORGE The WORST"made the FREEDOM FIGHTERS the
enemy,your saying IRAN is now supporting the Taliban.(AIDING THE ENEMY).
OK Mush for Brains Americans is this one of those proverbial sayings
"YOUR ENEMY'S FRIEND IS THE ENEMY"? WHO'S WRITING THE SCRIP?
IT'S ALL TWISTED,IT'S TIME FOR ALL GOOD KNUCKLE-HEADS TO COME
TO THE AID OF THE PENTAGON.DIE FOR OIL,OR JUST DIE..

[mrjustice1]

RELIGION:

"...hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

RELIGION:
...criples us from free and logical thinking. Consequently, it prevents us from arriving at reasonable, rational, and fair and just solutions to disputes, conflicts, wars, and so much more.

Religion continues to be a major, major scourge for mankind.

Religion continues to be about the most destructive force in mankind's shameful, history.

Religion is wrongfully forced/imposed upon those who are it's innocent victims - particularly children!

Which of our responsible world leaders will be courageous enough, and take charge with regard to movement towards phasing out and ultimately prohibiting the forcing of religion on its subject victims - its victims who are manipulated into perpetuating guaranteed conflict, wars, destruction and death?

Religion is poison. The sooner we eliminate it, the better for all peoples and nations!

[EstherHaman]

It is totally ignorant to even insinuate that Iran and Taliban are in cahoots. When Taliban/Al-Qaida were fighting the Mansur Shah and his troops of the Northern Alliance, it was only Iran that was supplying the Mansur Shah to stand in the way of Bin Ladin and his thugs to take over Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Mansur Shah was assasinated by Bin Ladin. This was the turning point before 911. The real question is where were we at that time??!!

When the Taliban reached the the capital Herat, they killed all 9 of the Iranian Embassy staff. So, does anyone still think the Iranians and the Taliban are in any sort of cooperation?! I think lack of memory and knowledge is a disease in this country. So stop getting fooled by these Zionists propaganda.

[EstherHaman]

It is totally ignorant to even insinuate that Iran and Taliban are in cahoots. When Taliban/Al-Qaida were fighting the Mansur Shah and his troops of the Northern Alliance, it was only Iran that was supplying the Mansur Shah to stand in the way of Bin Ladin and his thugs to take over Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Mansur Shah was assasinated by Bin Ladin. This was the turning point before 911. The real question is where were we at that time??!!

When the Taliban reached the the capital Herat, they killed all 9 of the Iranian Embassy staff. So, does anyone still think the Iranians and the Taliban are in any sort of cooperation?! I think lack of memory and knowledge is a disease in this country. So stop getting fooled by these Zionists propaganda.

[babooph]

Analgous to US & Israel?

[bubbadubba]

"The west of Afghanistan, bordering Iran, is fast becoming a graveyard for U.S. forces."

Even for you, that's an idiotic comment Logan.
Go back and party with your Taliban friends.
I want our troops home but that statement is something I would expect from a woman who sleeps with the enemy for stories.
13 Americans killed in 6 months and probably a thousand Taliban killed and it is a graveyard for the US troops?
By the way Logan, you are not very attractive and you stink at your so called reporting job.

[hungry1968-16]

by Marc_1986 October 8, 2009 12:50 PM EDT

Nevermind that they are aiding those who wish to kill Americans. Let's negotiate!






Who are you talking about?

Iran aiding the Taliban or the republicans aiding the health insurance industry?

[legacyabq]

LLMAO

[EstherHaman]

When Iran helped G.W. Bush after 911 to defeat the Al-Qaida and the Taliban, the Zionists and the Neo-Cons put them on "Axis of Evil". For years Iran supplied the Mujahedin and fed their kids and gave 4 million of the Afghan refuges a safe Haven, but how did we respond to these people? We left them nothing but bombed out clay houses. Please see the movie "Charlie Wilson's war" .

Now out of the sudden we expect these people to love us and to bend backward to give our troops a warm reception. Well, you fulled them once shame on you, you full them twice shame on them, not going to be the case here.

[rexrox2]

What would change the entire dynamic, is for our leader(s), to show the citizens the evidence of IRANIAN contributions in Afghanistan and Irag. Show people there's no question they've been killing our soldiers and civilians for years. Then our country will join together, the terrible morale problem in country(afghan) will improve dramatically and we could finally give all parties(Iran too), a full dose of the US Military. Our enemies have counted on the press and a large portion of our population to drag every military effort down, and in-large part weaken our resolve. Without this coersion, we could accomplish our goals. Let Obama lead us, instead of doing 50-60 speeches and public appearances on behalf of HEALTH CARE REFORM, let him lead in Afghanistan and protect our young sons and daughters dying in unprecedented numbers right now.

If he were to lead this country in the Middle East, his domestic agenda would probably FLY THROUGH CONGRESS. Americans instinctively understand what should be the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. I think we would surprise ourselves, and especially the media, on what is possible.

[legacyabq]

I hear you, except the part about "dying in unprecedented numbers". That's hardly accurate.

[afmcalax]

First, hurt Iran. If they want to supply weapons and money to the Taliban then pick out one or two suitable weapons plants and bomb them out of existence. Next, if they want to supply them money, bomb one or two oil platforms. Show Iran that their support of the Taliban comes at a price to them. Iran is really no threat to us and as soon as we show them with actions, rather than words, that we are calling their bluff, the quicker they will back down. I am not calling for an invasion; just a surgical strike.

Second, the "graveyard" comment was moronic. 4 dead to 13 dead does not make a graveyard. When will these idiot journalists realize that soldiers actually die when fighting a war. When you initially bring the fight to the enemy more initially die, but eventually you kill more of them and your casualty rate lessens. American journalists have no sense of perspective. These are easily sustainable casualty rates; especially if we are defeating the enemy. Sometimes I think they work for the Taliban News Agency.

[danberg777]

Just a surgical strike against Iran? Maybe Russia should of considered the same thing against us when we were supporting the terrorist Taliban to kill them.

[excop1949]

Iran is aiding terrorists?
Wow...that's big news...

[Marc_1986]

@excop

It's OK, Iran doesn't want to hurt us! They just want to have nuclear power for peaceful means! Nevermind that they are aiding those who wish to kill Americans. Let's negotiate!

[DC106]

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. These are the type of games the USA has been playing with other countries for decades. Payback is a *****!

If Syria (or Iraq, or Iran, or Somalia, or Panama, or Grenada, or Cuba....etc etc..) actually had the ability to retaliate we never would have attacked them - we are cowards, bullies that pick on the weak and terrorize anybody who refuses to follow our orders.

If Syria were to exterminate a US base in Iraq they would certainly be within their rights, but they know that the ignorant American electorate could be provoked into believing that the US had been 'attacked' and must 'defend' itself by nuking Damascus.

After all, the American electorate has already proved itself stupid enough to buy the line about Saddam being in cahoots with AlQaeda, they will believe anything their Israeli paid govt. tells them.

Its not hard to see why most people in the World see the US as the worst threat to World Peace, because it is.

[hungry1968-16]

"I think Iran feels threatened," said David Kilcullen, a counterinsurgency expert. "And I think it feels that its interests are best served by being able to hurt the United States in Afghanistan."







This sounds EXACTLY like what Reagan and Bush did with the CIA helping the Taliban against Russia 25 years ago.

Congratulations conservatives, on showing Iran how to beat a world super power!

[legacyabq]

It's true, except it wasnt the taliban back then. It was afghan nationalists, the mujuhadeen

[TrishaL59]

Iran collaborates also with Hamas, Hezbollah, two muslim organizations and with Cuba's Castro and Venezuela's Chavez who happen to be two Catholic countries leaders, in a social-class and anti-arrogance fight, on Earth. Are they allowed to have a political stand favoring the poor and the oppressed? Mind you they are at peace with the rest of the world nations, regardless of religion ...

[w32e31]

I keep on forgetting that we are the only authorized country to supply groups that are against those who we oppose. Perhaps Iran figured that if its acceptable for the USA to supply the Taliban, when it suited us...then it must be acceptable for Iran to supply the Taliban, when it suits Iran. If in fact, that is what is even taking place. There was no hard evidence provided by CBS.

For some ungodly reason, we only demand inspections of Iran. Ignoring the only real nuclear power, and nulear threat in the Middle East--Israel. Perhaps CBS can look into Israel's nuclear arsenal. Our government conveniently, and continually, turn a blind eye to Israel's nuclear arsenal in Dimona. So...what do we expect?

[w32e31]

I keep on forgetting that we are the only authorized country to supply groups that are against those who we oppose. Perhaps Iran figured that if its acceptable for the USA to supply the Taliban, when it suited us...then it must be acceptable for Iran to supply the Taliban, when it suits Iran. If in fact, that is what is even taking place. There was no hard evidence provided by CBS.

For some ungodly reason, we only demand inspections of Iran. Ignoring the only real nuclear power, and nulear threat in the Middle East--Israel. Perhaps CBS can look into Israel's nuclear arsenal. Our government conveniently, and continually, turn a blind eye to Israel's nuclear arsenal in Dimona. So...what do we expect?

[juwboy]

Israel has never tested a nuclear bomb, so how do you know that they have them?

Even if Israel's built nuclear devices, neither you, the Israelis, nor anyone else know if they have viable nuclear bombs until tests have been carried out.