US Intelligence Official: Iran's Assistance to Iraq in Battle Against ISIS

A senior US intelligence official stated that Iran is involved in the fight against the Islamic State group, known as ISIS, in Iraq and has sent large quantities of weapons to the country. James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, said in an interview with CBS on Tuesday, March 2, that he believes Tehran has a 'very serious commitment to fighting' the Islamic State and has dispatched forces to advise Iraq. CBS's website published a two-minute video report of the interview with this US intelligence official. In the interview, Clapper mentioned that 'Iranians have sent large amounts of weapons to Iraq and are using drones over Iraq.' Clapper's remarks come as the Iraqi government, along with popular forces, Shia militias, and Sunni opponents of ISIS, have begun extensive attacks to retake Mosul. In this context, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing several senior militia officials, including the leader of the Badr Organization, that Iranian forces are present as both 'military advisors' and 'frontline participants in the battle against ISIS.' Several senior Iranian military officials have been killed in Iraq, including Brigadier General Hamid Taghavi, whose death in Iraq was confirmed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on January 26. Clapper also stated that Iran currently possesses the 'technical capability' to build nuclear weapons. He added that 'many in Iran are interested in having nuclear weapons, but the decision in this regard rests with Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the country, and he has not yet made a decision to build nuclear weapons.' Clapper further stated, 'Building nuclear weapons for Iran is a political decision.' He emphasized that Iran has 'the necessary knowledge and capacity' to develop these weapons in all areas. Ali Khamenei has announced that Iran will accept a 'fair and logical' outcome from nuclear negotiations. Iran claims it is not seeking nuclear weapons. Currently, Tehran is negotiating with the P5+1 group to reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement.