Time: Officials Dispute Mike Pompeo's Claim That Iran Is Collaborating With Al Qaeda
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s claim that Iran and Al Qaeda are collaborating is at best an exaggeration that is not supported by any available information, U.S. intelligence officers and officials with the State and Defense Department tell TIME.
Pompeo made the claim about the terrorist organization during testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month, at a time when tensions between the U.S. and Iran have risen.
“There is no doubt there is a connection between the Islamic Republic of Iran and al-Qaeda. Period. Full stop,” he said. “The factual question with respect to Iran’s connections to al Qaeda is very real. They have hosted al Qaeda. They have permitted al-Qaeda to transit their country.”
But U.S. officials say that he dramatically overstated the case.
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Update #1: U.S. Intel to Congress: No Evidence al Qaeda Is Helping Iran (Daily Beast)
Update #2: US intelligence officials directly contradict Trump, saying no evidence al-Qaeda cooperating with Iran (The Independent)
WNU Editor: I guess these anonymous intelligence officials do not think that "an enemy of my enemy is my friend" is in play here.