Did Ahmadinejad Know About the Iranian Terror Plot on Washington?
Terror and carnage in Washington, D.C., with the Saudi ambassador assassinated by a bomb while dining at a restaurant packed with 100-150 other customers, possibly including a number of senators. That’s what “elements” of Iran’s government allegedly had planned for this autumn, according to court documents and press statements released Tuesday by U.S. authorities.
Americans are just now learning some of the details of this Iranian terror plot, in connection with charges brought against American-Iranian dual national Manssor Arbabsiar, now under arrest in New York. The criminal complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, provides 21 pages of horrifying material, much of it amassed with the help of a paid undercover informant, who posed as an associate of the unnamed Mexican drug cartel the Iranians thought they had recruited for the hit (Barry Rubin, in a terrific Pajamas post, on what it all means, links to the complaint). The complaint lays out a trail in which Arbabsiar, a naturalized American living in Texas, conspired with members of Iran’s Quds Force, an arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, to orchestrate the assassination on American soil of the Saudi ambassador to the United States. The plot went all the way to the top of the Quds Force, and involved hiring the services of a violent Mexican drug cartel to use explosives to murder the Saudi ambassador in Washington. If that succeeded, it was to be followed by other terrorist jobs. There are lots of fascinating details, including such trivia as the use of a code-name, “Chevrolet,” for the assassination plot; and such monstrosities as Arbabsiar’s comment to a U.S. undercover source that his Iranian co-conspirators wanted the Saudi ambassador killed, and if 100 bystanders were killed as well, “f–k ‘em.”
Yet the criminal complaint also includes a caveat: “No attempt has been made to set forth the complete factual history of this investigation or all of its details.”
Which brings me to a question, as yet unanswered: Did Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad know about this plot for a terror attack in Washington? The timing is startling. It was coming to a head in late September, right around the time of, or just a few days after, Ahmadinejad’s Sept. 19-24 visit to New York, for the annual opening of the United Nations General Assembly.
As we are now informed, U.S. authorities were on to the terror plot, and Arbabsiar’s erstwhile Mexican cartel contact was an undercover informant working not to arrange a bombing in D.C., but to thwart it. But presumably the Iranians didn’t know that. Arbabsiar, as he shuttled between Texas, Mexico, and Iran, during the months in which he was allegedly arranging the attack, apparently didn’t know the plot was already blown. Anyone on the Iranian side might have been counting down the days, or the hours, expecting that scenes of murder, rubble, and bloody mayhem, accompanied by international uproar, would soon be emanating from the American capital.
Here are a few highlights of the timeline, as set out in the complaint. On or about Sept. 2, Arbabsiar was asking the undercover agent if “the building is getting painted” — a code phrase which according to the complaint was a way of asking “whether the arrangements to kill the ambassador were still underway.” On or about Sept. 20, Arbabsiar in a phone call told his erstwhile cartel connection that in two or three days he would head to Mexico to serve as human collateral for payment for the hit; meanwhile, “Don’t wait for me. Get ready…”
You ever read Clancy’s “Sum of all fears”? I’m all for war, bro, but after 10 yrs and a big recession, we are just all warred out for now. The 10 yr lesson here is you don’t go balls out for something so little–tit for tat, not tit for another 4,000 troops killed, for what? for a plot that never happened? C’mon, bro.
Let’s get ready for China and try not to waste all our energy on small fries.
Let Israel and Turkey handle Iran (we’ll provide them w/ intel, that’s all), just as we’ve given Libya to UK and France. It’s not our war, China is the Main Enemy, we need to educate our kids for the 1st tier economic war w/ China, check out Huawei USA forchrissakes, bro.
1. Most affadavits in criminal cases have a disclaimer indicating that it does not include all facts or information collected during the course of the investigation;
2. I remember media reports over the last ten years discussing Iranian diplomatic staff caught in an apparent recon of NYC landmarks. Perhaps now would be a good time fro an article reviewing that activity?
3. Thanks for the great PJM reporting by you and Rubin on this matter.
This isn’t the time for another torch and pitch forks war, RAAAAAH!!! go to Afghanistan, then RAAAAAAAAAAAAhhh!!! go to Iraq, then RAAAHHH!!! back to Afghanistan, with no strategy no goal, losing lives and billions.
Iran isn’t really our problem, although Iran thinks we are theirs, like a puppy trying to hump a Sequoia tree (just not going to happen). Give Israel, KSA and Turkey a common enemy, I’m sure the Arab world right now could use a diversion from the Arab Spring which is going south.
Hell, Let them go to war, not US, we need to pass the President’s Jobs bill and get people working again, we don’t need to be going to war.
ROFLMAO,
Pass Dear Leader’s jobs bill?
Yea, right, we need a lot more of this dufus’ looting the treasury on behalf of ACORN and his donors. I’m not in favor of going to war with Iran, but it’s better than passing anything more of this bolshevik’s agenda.
Same things that the Republicans agreed w/ before, now suddenly they don’t–BS I say, BS!!!
Then you should change your handle to TEA Lem. I’ll double your “BS” and add a big yawn.
Nobody is saying the end of the “W” years with the auto bail out and TARP are to be commended. But, they pale in comparison to the corruption of the POS in the oval office now (opps, I guess, technically he’s probably at the golf course now), and, of course, as a JR senator, the current POS also has a share of the blame for “W”s woeful compromise with socialism near the end.
IF YOU et al. don’t believe that its just a matter of time before “BOOM” well then you don’t believe. But a “BIG BOOM” is coming one way or the other. After that, well some folks-maybe a lot of folks will not be able to check “6″
This investigation started in June. Why do we hear NOW?? Are we cynical enough to believe that this whole thing is STAGED BY HOLDER AND OBAMA. Why you ask?? Whatever is filling up the news cycle and easy to report is WHAT the media will report. Fast and Furious is getting hot. Holder is on the verge of being asked to step down. The whole lid is ready to blow off this story at a critical time. Oops just like Clinton in wag the dog. Come on folks. They probably have 50 such “investigations” like this that they can deliver in a slow drip to the media to fill up the lazy ass reporters who will buy into this crap 100%. Yes Iran is a threat but I will guarantee there are other bad actors doing this crap every day that don’t absorb 100% of the news cycle.
This administration is desparate but the Media too is about out of credibility on almost any story. Sins of ommission trump sins of commission. What is NOT reported is what is going on here. Don’t buy it!! I wanna know more about Fast and Furious!!! What did these scum bags know and when did they know it?
DID US BACKED SAUDI INTERVENTION IN BEHRAIN UNDERLIE FOILED DC IRAN TERROR PLOT?
The genocidal terror masters of Islamofacist Iran warned the Saudis that their military intervention in Behrain (“with the underhanded support of America*”) to suppress a massive Shiite led Arab Spring rebellion to topple the Sunni monarchy would have consequences and “boomerang.” And this foiled plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the US in a Washington mass causality attack at a packed DC restaurant is what Iran likely had in mind.
Click my name to read more.
If this attack had gone off as planned, we would have treated it as an act of war. So, what has changed? Just because there aren’t a lot of dead Americans or a dead Saudi embassador we should forget about this? There are many, many, ways we can hurt Iran without having to invade it, both militarily and financially. It’s time to stop this “smart power” stupidity and stand up to them for once. We can fire a missile attack at Iran’s Quds Force headquarters in Tehran, just to get their attention. If Iran objects or tries another such attack, we have to ramp up the pressure on Iran. And if Obama does nothing just to appease the Iranians so that they won’t cause more trouble in Iraq or Afghanistan, he will only cause more trouble for us. Iran really will think we’re not only weak, but giving up the entire area to the Iranians simply because we want to leave as quickly as possible. Holder set the stage yesterday for retaliation. Now it’s up to Obama to follow through on that. Fat chance.
I don’t think Obama can handle these complicated matters relating to various means of warfare. Sanctions via diverse international bodies, direct American boycotting of the mullahcracy, and not the least, visible military manoeuvring combined with electronic equipment to trusted allies, are all necessary steps to intimidate the bastards. On top of that place the most scary weapon, the atomic submarines strategely around the Indian Ocean. See if Ahmadinejad can muster that?
If this were a Tom Clancy novel – or a better presidency, Arbabsiar and company would quietly vanish (probably to Guantanamo) and several months later the Iranian Navy would accidentally sink. It wouldn’t take much to assist the Iranian dissidents, a few Green Berets and electronic assistance in the right places.
Liberty:
What you’re proposing isn’t going to happen with Obama in the W.H. There were supposed to be “harsh” economic sanctions on Iran, where’d that go?
Somehow, as long as Russia & China are doing business, Iran gets help from them.
If this President had any testicular fortitude,he’d have Ahmadinejad banned from this country, including the UN visits…banned means BANNED! Then, all Iranian diplomats, UN or otherwise, should also be ordered out post haste.
But, it’s all wishful thinking, these people are Muslims and all Obama will do is apologize.
Ahh, but they’re Shia Muslims, and Obama bowed to the Saudi King, who is Sunni.
Muslims hate Muslims of the wrong sect only a little less than they hate infidels. Remember, Al-Zarqawi liked to hijack buses and separate passengers into Sunni and Shia, then shoot the Shias.
Maybe “it’s late” is a reference to Obama needing a crises to blame for
the suspension of next year’s election and the declaration of martial law
to deal with “this emergency”. Can’t let a good “crisis” go to waste.
IRAN + VZLA ( Chavez ) = Allies
VZLA ( Chavez ) + FARC = Allies
FARC + MEX D Cartel = Allies
Obama + above mentioned = Allies. Sorry I could not resist.
A war is not needed. However, serious protection of our borders. ( Troops with the authority to protect with lethal force ). Target economic strains on the above, CITGO supplies our military with fuel 9end the contract), Iran does not refine enough fuel( stop shipments), GE ( freeze assets),revoke visas, etc.etc.
This would never have come to be if someone was on the ball in DC.
Is this announcement supposed to boost the president’s approval ratings? Since WFAA/Channel 8 in DFW has an article that states the drug cartel’s weapons were the reason they were included in the plot, it’s common-sense questioning to wonder if there’s a connection to Fast and Furious….Timing is just one facet of this. The common ploy of all despots is to focus the people’s attention on a ‘common enemy’ to take the heat off the despot. A corrupt-to-the-bone administration has zero credibility; what is the truth?
Wow. I do not think that because a plot was uncovered that we are now going to war with Iran. This was likely a credible planned attack, but, similar to the aspirin factory, it was put out in the MSM now to defuse the pressure to Holder over the Fast and Furious debacle. Even so, a high collateral damage assination in D.C. would be a big deal to Iran.
Also, forget the President’s job bill. It a was a joke and everyone knows it, even the 4 or 5 democrats in the senate that defeated the bill yesterday. It is dead in the water. Enough of the pork to the liberal interest groups. That has already been done with no apparent increase in jobs.
I, for now, am not getting too fired up. . . . I can’t help but wonder if this whole thing isn’t a scam by the “o” and co. to take the attention off of the Gunwalker stuff. . . . keep the heat on Holder and the DOJ. . . THAT is where the crap is. . . . and in the White House.
I want to see more. Anything that involves Holder and Obama and a complex issue has got to be examine to ensure that no one is lying for political gain.
All of a sudden the MSM and Holder are credible? Perhaps but, let the Saudis deal with it. They should also be dealing with Iran for attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s what allies are for.
What did Iran hope to gain by assassinating the Saudi ambassador to the US? The US recovered well enough from the Sept. 11 attacks. Would this have put an irreparable crack between the US & Saudi Arabia?
I wonder if ATF tried to smuggle centex to them?
Opps! I meant semtex!
Blockade them. Nothing gets in or out of Iranian ports.
The timing of the announcement yesterday does have an air of…let’s distract… let this beleaguered Attorney General look good for the cameras.
But then I suffer from terminal cynicism every time I see Holder’s mug or hear him speak.
Bigger question: How much was he paid? Was this real? Is this just another diversion? Paranoia strikes deep, but heck, ya can’t trust them as far…….
Anyone that’s surprised by this has really not been paying attention. These people hate us and want to kill us. We are a perfect example of why their country is a bit of despair. Freedom vs religious fascism. A culture of death vs a culture of liberty.
Time to expel the Iranian consulate as well as any Iranian who hasn’t become a citizen, who makes frequent trips to the Middle East. No more American planes to Iran or any country that supports them. Time also to monitor what is said in mosques and other public venues, those who speak treason, send them away as well.
NO public monies for Iran at all. NO money for aide. NO money for countries that support them. We can use those funds to shore up our borders, keep our military going and helping with the deficit.
Of course there’s always the glass parking lot scenario. I’m not there yet but it won’t be long.
ok, this is my solution:
Nuke Tehran and nuke Qom, carpet bomb Mecca and Medina and then move on. They will reconstitute themselves. The real USA’s problem is the economics right now.
Also, I’m seeing a pattern here: Keep Republicans busy with wars abroad, until people is fed up, the pendulum goes back to Democrats who will keep pushing their left agend. When the pendulum goes Republican, let’s a war happen again…
Why would be bomb Saudi Arabia when they are our allies? What next? Canada?
I suspect that asking if Ahmadinejad knew about this plot is akin to asking if Holder knew about “Fast and Furious”.
I am not typically into conspiracy type thinking, but I have serious doubt about the timing of this announcement. Hilary said “you can’t make this stuff up”, I suggest that’s exactly what has happened, and here’s why.
One, Bush and his administration thwarted many attacks, yet all the details were never made so overtly public. Two, why use a drug cartel “member” when it is well known their are many operatives in the U.S.? Three, the timing is also quite a boon to Holder and Obama. Holder, because of his obvious knowledge of “Fast and Furious” and Obama’s jobs bill falling flat.
Not to mention that another military action, during election time, may ensure his re-election. America is known for not changing horses during a race.
Whatever the truth may be, it all reeks of manipulation, a key element of this regime.
I’m not sure it matters whether he knew or not. I assume he did. Even if he did and we know that, what difference would it make in Obama’s reaction? I suspect none.
And it could even raise Ahmadinejad’s status and prestige among the worldwide anti-America coalition, especially among the Islamists, who will be laughing at Obama’s likely non-response. Ahmadinejad as the new bin Laden, if you will.
We are already engaged in a retreat and withdrawal from the ME and south-central asia. Obama will not reverse this. He won’t take Iran on.
We are getting out of Iraq as fast as we can.
We are doing a slow retreat and withdrawal from Afghanistan. It’s fairly obvious we have given up there, and the Taliban will make our retreat and withdrawal as painful and as embarrassingly bloody and costly as possible.
Obama did nothing during the post rigged Iranian election uprising, did little in Libya, and has done nothing about Syria. He is essentially doing a slow withdrawal and disengagement from the ME in general.
The “non-interventionist” theory, AKA wishful thinking, is that they’ll leave us alone if we disengage and leave them alone. Dream on “non-interventionists”. The Islamists will be coming after us wherever we are and wherever they can, and that includes within our own borders.
Obama is more like Carter every day.
Why have we allowed the Iranian thug in N.Y. when we knew already about this attack ????
Why haven’t we arrested him ?
Why nobody is asking these questions ?
The first point of personal awareness related to Mexican drug cartels making common cause with Jihadists occurred in 2006. Reporting then clearly identified the evolving relationship that began with moving OTM’s (other than Mexicans) across the U.S. Southern border and estimates of how many made it through.
Reporting also clearly identified a Jihadist enclave in the Tri-Border region in South America essentially ignored by, se countries law enforcement. The Library of Congress issued a report based on open sources in 2003, revised in 2010 dealing with the Tri-Border area. (http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/pdf-files/TerrOrgCrime_TBA.pdf) The report clearly identifies the connections between narco gangs and terrorist organizations including Hiz’bAllah, Hamas, Al-Jihad, Al-Gama a al Islamiyya, al Qaeda and a number of other terror organizations. The report also points to information on this area going back to 1996 and the plot to blow up the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion.
CNN reported that the Tri-Border area was the location of a terrorist summit in 2002 to plan attacks against U.S. and Israeli diplomatic facilities.
The simple point being, now that we’ve exposed a plot that connects Iran to Mexican drug cartels, no one who has been paying attention should be surprised. Hiz’bAllah and Hamas are Iranian creations, Hugo Chavez, the Castro brothers and Manual Noriega remain open in their support for and relationships with Iran including military relationships.
No news of any action or speech.
Is Obama golfing today ?
Its Holders turn to wag the dog
Which should be considered an act of war against the USA:
1. Attempting to assassinate a Saudi ambassador.
2. Attacking a U.S. warship and killing 34 American sailors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident
Why doesn’t anyone in media tell us what Iran’s “Quds Force” means in English?
It means “Jerusalem Force”.
It would be like Israel having a unit call “Tehran Force”. It would be like the old Soviet Union have a “Washington Regiment”.
From 1945 to 1994 the US Army had the “Berlin Brigade”. It’s mission was to occupy the American Sector of West Berlin.
What is the mission of the “Quds Force”? Could it be anything other than preparing for invading and occupying Jerusalem, the Capital of Israel?
An insightful essay by Ms. Rosett, but I have to ask, what difference does it make? Americans are suffering a hundred or more Marxist and Fascist sissies in the occupied White House who encourage this kind of behavior. Let me clear up one remark here: while they are all Marxists, they govern like Fascists.