Iran Weapon Smuggling Allegation

On September 23, 2007, the United States government accused Iran of smuggling arms into Iraq for use against American troops.

Fast Facts

1. Iran denied the allegations
2. Weapons were allegedly being smuggled to Shiite insurgents
3. Sophisticated Iranian-made grenades, missiles and explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) were discovered in Iraq
4. An American soldier was killed following an EFP attack on September 22, 2007
5. The border between Iraq and Iran is 900 miles long

Possible Connection

On September 20, 2007, U.S. troops detained Iranian national Mahmudi Farhadi in Iraq for questioning in connection with the smuggling allegations. Iranian and Iraqi officials maintain that Farhadi was in Iraq on business and demanded his release.

Quote

"We don't need to do that (smuggle weapons into Iraq). We are very much opposed to war and insecurity. The insecurity in Iraq is detrimental to our interests."—Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ¹

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