There may be a link to the escalating drug cartel “wars” in northern Mexico. There are several reasons to think that Iran may be using the drug cartels. First, Iran already has experience funneling weapons into Iraq, Lebanon, and Gaza. Funding increased instability on the U.S. southern border would advance Iranian interests by diverting U.S. attention and resources from the Middle East. Second, the cartels have recently begun using more “military” weapons such as RPGs that are not available in the U.S. or easily stolen in Mexico. If you hear a report of a cartel using an EFP, that would provide further support for this idea. Finally, the Iranians have not been happy, to say the least, about our inconsistent efforts to control drug production in Afghanistan. Much of the opium produced in Afghanistan is consumed in Iran which has the highest proportion of heroin addicts in the world. It’s hardly far-fetched to think that the Iranians believe turnabout is fair play.
