Rep. Weldon says Iran key to insurgency

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- Iran may not have the largest number of insurgents in Iraq, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality, Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., said Sunday.

Weldon, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," said Iraqi officials have told him "Syria may have the largest number (of insurgents) from outside of Iraqi country, but Iran overwhelmingly has the quality behind the insurgency."

Weldon -- Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee -- said U.S. military brass told him there isn't much that U.S. forces can do to control the flow of insurgents from Iran.

"One of our commanding officers looked to Iran on a map and said, 'It's a black hole. We just don't have the intelligence that we need about Iran's involvement,'" said Weldon. "That's, to me, absolutely outrageous."

Weldon said Iranian leaders are major players in the insurgency.

"Ayatollah Khomeini is the problem, and he has as separate council of nine that's been fomenting unrest in Iraq during this entire time," said Weldon, "and that's what's increasing -- that's what's increasing dramatically as we attempt to stabilize the country."

Wleodn said Iran's long-term plan is to force any government that takes hold in Iraq to eventually become a partner with Iran.