AFP: Iran on Thursday vehemently denied claims by a top US general that Iran has sent mortars and explosives to Afghanistan destined for the Taliban, Iranian media reported. TEHRAN, April 19, 2007 (AFP) – Iran on Thursday vehemently denied claims by a top US general that Iran has sent mortars and explosives to Afghanistan destined for the Taliban, Iranian media reported.
Iran “denies claims by the US officials regarding finding Iranian-made weapons in Afghanistan. It is baseless and a repetitive scenario,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini was quoted on semi-official Mehr news agency.
“Such claims can not be used as a cover up for the US increasing failures in Afghanistan,” he added.
On Tuesday, General Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that coalition forces have intercepted Iranian-made mortars and explosives in Afghanistan destined for the Taliban, suggesting an expanding Iranian challenge to US forces in the region.
“It is not as clear in Afghanistan which Iranian entity is responsible. But we have intercepted weapons in Afghanistan headed for the Taliban that were made in Iran,” Pace told defence reporters here in Washington.
