On the same day that the military announced that 3 U.S. soldiers were killed by Iranian made Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs), a wanted Iranian al Quds agent was picked up in Karbala.

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Three Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers were killed and two others wounded when an explosively-formed penetrator detonated on their patrol during combat operations in an eastern section of the Iraqi capital Sept. 4....

During an unrelated pre-dawn raid in Karbala Wednesday, Coalition forces captured a highly-sought individual suspected of being an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) affiliate.

Coalition forces also detained another individual for questioning.

The detained individual is suspected of coordinating with high-level IRGC-QF officers for the transportation of multiple Iraqis to Iran for terrorist training at IRGC-QF training camps. He is also a known logistics facilitator providing lethal aid to terrorists operating in central Baghdad. It is likely that the affiliate is closely linked to individuals at the highest levels of the IRGC-QF. Coalition forces are still assessing his possible connection to the Special Groups. Intelligence derived from other security detainees led Coalition forces to the residence of the individual. Ground troops confiscated computer equipment, communication devices, miscellaneous documents and photographs. It is believed that the captured documents may lead to information on other IRGC-QF illicit activities intended to disrupt security operations in Iraq. There were no Iraqi or Coalition forces casualties during the precision raid.

“As Iran continues its proxy war against the people of Iraq, Coalition forces will continue to build on recent operations to disrupt the flow of illicit, lethal materials from Iran into Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokeman. “The capture of individuals affiliated with the IRGC-Quds Force is an integral part of dismantling terror networks that seek to kill innocent Iraqis and security forces.”

Source: MNF Iraq Press Release

Last month DOD released a captured homemade insurgent video which showed ordinance clearly labeled "EFP" and which was manufactured in Iran. I had originally thought the insurgents were using American rockets since they were marked in English, but it later became clear that these were Iranian made. Iran, like most countries, marks their exportable munitions in English.

UPDATE: Paul from Powerline wonders why we "permit Iran to believe there's no price to be paid for promoting violence in Iraq" echoing what appears to be calls from Willam Kristol for cross border attacks against IRGC-QF's camps in Iraq used to train Shia militia to attack U.S. troops.

Normally I'm a hawk, but I'm just not sure how this is in our best interests. Sure, ideally we could force Iran to stop their proxy war in Iran. But exactly how do we force them to do this? Exactly what incentives do we have to offer them to stop? I submit that there is a) no way to force them b) no incentives we can give them that we would be willing to give them.

So, we'll just have to live with the proxy war for now. The low-level proxy war leading to a less then stable Iraq is better than any disastrous cross-border action. The result of such action would surely be Iran unleashing far more forces in Iraq, which would further destabilize the country. If there are too many Iranian EFPs and too many Quds fighters in Iraq already, imagine how many there would be if Iran chose to no longer pretend that they weren't already involved. And how is that in our best interests?

I'll be tickled pink if and when the mad mullahs of Iran fall, but we are not in the position at the present time to escalate our cold and proxy war with them to a full blown shooting war. That can wait.

Posted by: Rusty at 03:56 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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