US Secretary of State planning to announce new Iran-Al Qaeda ties

Last updated on January 16th, 2021 at 05:23 am

Iran-Al Qaeda ties: The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is planning to publicly blame Iran for its ties with Al-Qaeda in Tuesday’s speech, as per The Reuters.

Pompeo plans to utilize the declassified US intelligence in the statement, The Reuters reported, referring to “two people acquainted with the issue.” He is expected to reveal details on Iran purportedly shielding Al-Qaeda leaders and supporting the terror organization, the report stated. 

During the National Press Club meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Mike Pompeo is expected to make some allegations in his speech. Pompeo has blamed Iran for its ties with the Al-Qaeda before, however, without providing any proof. 

There are a few doubts about openly examining the data among legislators and the intelligence community, the report added. 

The announcement might probably complicate the situation of President-elect Joe Biden’s objective of reconnecting with Tehran over the nuclear deal. 

The White House has attempted a year-long campaign against Iran by withdrawing from the 2015 atomic deal, imposing heavy sanctions, and assassinating the Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. 

Pompeo’s speech could include information on the killing of Al-Qaeda’s second in command in Tehran in Aug 2020, stated by Israel. 

The New York Times revealed in Nov 2020 that an Israeli agent completed the attack on Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah in the direction of the US. Abdullah was charged for being one of the main conspirators of decimating assaults on two US consulates in Africa in 1998 and a 2002 assault on an Israeli-owned inn in Kenya.

Iran has completely denied the allegations and accused Israel of killing its top atomic researcher, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

It’s vague why Iran would shelter al-Qaeda members. Iran is a Shiite state and has battled with Al-Qaeda, a Sunni jihadist group. Experts revealed to The New York Times that Iran may have sheltered members of Al-Qaeda to forestall assaults in Iran or to permit them to lead operations against America. 

Joe Biden has stated that if Iran recognizes the terms and conditions of the nuclear deal, then we would think of rejoining the nuclear deal. However, Iran has welcomed America’s stand, but only after they remove the imposed economic sanctions.