Afghanistan skeptical Iran arming Taliban

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Afghan Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak said evidence of Iranian cooperation in arming Taliban insurgents with advanced weapons is inconclusive.

Wardak was in Washington lobbying for more significant international assistance in the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan.

He persistently denied that Iran armed the Taliban in Afghanistan with armor-piercing explosives and other sophisticated weapons after meeting with Iranian officials last month.

Voice of America quoted Wardak as saying: “There are weapons and maybe some financial support and others. But to be completely clear about it I think it will take a little bit of time to come up with the right conclusion.”

U.S. officials aren’t so convinced, VOA noted. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Taliban were “clearing getting support from elsewhere outside of Afghanistan” and suggested Iranian officials were involved.

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Voice of America that the issue should be handled diplomatically but stated, “I’m not one to take options off the table and wouldn’t do that.”