U.S. Details "Lethal Force"The Quds Force Sanctions: They Could Prevent War With Iran

[photo:CNN]
by Mondoreb

News detailing Iranian transgressions, a day after sanctions were leveled against the Quds Force and other components of the Revolutionary Guards. This diplomatic move could just prevent a war with Iran. More on the offending behavior from CNN:

The Quds Force, the elite unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, provides "lethal support" to the Sunni-dominated Taliban for use against U.S. and NATO forces, according to information in the new U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran.

The Quds Force is the "Iranian regime's primary instrument for providing lethal support to the Taliban," and it "provides weapons and financial support to the Taliban to support anti-U.S. and anti-coalition activity in Afghanistan," the Treasury Department alleged Thursday in announcing economic sanctions against the Quds Force and other Iranian military and financial entities.

Iran is a predominantly Shiite nation and is known to support Shiite fighters in Iraq, where Shiite and Sunni Muslims have been at odds in recent years, and in Lebanon.

Specifics were also given as to the types of munitions and military gear shipped to forces battling U.S. and Coalition troops.

"Since at least 2006, Iran has arranged frequent shipments of small arms and associated ammunition, rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds, 107 mm rockets, plastic explosives, and probably man-portable defense systems to the Taliban," the statement said.

Changing Iran's behavior without resorting to war is the goal of diplomacy. Sanctions were one such diplomatic option that was exercised yesterday. Voices will be raised about this "drumbeat of news leading to war with Iran".

But those with only a passing interest in the news of the day, as opposed to news junkies, might be surprised to learn that Iran has been arming forces that have been killing American troops. Upon learning this, they may wonder why steps aren't being taken to combat this.


Yesterday's sanctions, and the news informing of why the sanctions were taken, are the first such steps. Such diplomatic steps might prevent, rather than further, war with Iran.




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