Troops can kill Iranian agents in Iraq, says Bush
Tim Reid in Washington
The Times January 27, 2007
timesonline.co.uk
President Bush appeared to confirm yesterday that he has authorised US troops to kill Iranian agents inside Iraq, fuelling fears that tensions between Washington and Tehran could erupt into military confrontation.
As details of the aggressive US policy emerged, Iran responded provocatively, announcing that it would step up its uranium enrichment programme next month.
Asked about reports that he had authorised a “kill or capture” policy against Iranians inside Iraq, Mr Bush did not deny it, but rather appeared to defend the decision.
“It makes sense that if somebody is trying to harm our troops or stop us from achieving our goals or killing innocent citizens in Iraq, that we will stop them,” he said. “Our policy is going to be to protect our troops. It makes sense.”
Earlier, White House national security officials confirmed that Mr Bush had given the order late last year for US troops to target Iranian intelligence officials and Revolutionary Guard troops working with militia inside Iraq. The policy does not extend to Iranian civilians or diplomats, they added.
Mr Bush has twice this month accused Iran of providing military technology for attacks on US troops in Iraq, and US officials have repeatedly accused Tehran of supplying the Iraqis with roadside bombs.
There are growing fears among Mr Bush’s critics that he is seriously considering military action against Iran, to curb its growing influence in the region. But Mr Bush insisted yesterday that beyond Iraq he wanted a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Last month Mr Bush ordered a second battle carrier group to the Persian Gulf and the deployment of an air defence battalion equipped with Patriot missile batteries.
In addition to sending a signal to Tehran, the move was aimed at easing the fears of America’s traditional Arab allies, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, who are alarmed at Iran’s growing influence.
Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, said that a strike on Iran would have “catastrophic consequences”.
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