State Department cites ‘big concern’ over potential security threat from released Iranians
By APThursday, July 9, 2009
US worried that freed Iranians could pose threat
WASHINGTON — The State Department is worried that release of five Iranian officials suspected of aiding Shiite insurgents in Iraq could present a security threat to American troops there.
Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters that the U.S. released the five to the Iraqi government because it was obliged to do so under a U.S.-Iraqi security agreement that took effect several months ago. Whether they are now set free is up to the Iraqis.
He described the five Iranians as being “associated with” the Quds force, an element of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. U.S. officials believe the five were involved in training Iraqi militant groups.
Kelly said the possibility of the five creating further security problems in Iraq was “a big concern.” And he said U.S. officials have communicated that concern to Baghdad.
