Security officials in Baghdad were last night urgently investigating the background of 30 Iranians who were caught fighting for a rebel Shia cleric in Iraq, amid mounting concern over the involvement of the Tehran regime in the uprising. The Guardian has learned that the most senior members of the Iraqi government were briefed about the capture of the men yesterday, and also told of other evidence that fighters and equipment have been crossing the border from Iran. The 30 men were captured in the southern city of Kut on Wednesday and officials are trying to establish whether they have any links to Tehran. "We are checking their identities but if they are found to have links to the Iranians then that would be tantamount to a declaration of war by them," said a senior Iraqi source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
| It would be that, now wouldn't it. |
The source said members of Iraq's national security committee had yesterday been presented "with revealing information about the extent of Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs", which was being taken seriously at the "highest echelons of government". There was increasing frustration "at our neighbour's apparent indifference to cross-border security, despite promises of cooperation".
| What's the matter, you guys haven't been lied to before? |
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