Iran is supplying lethal weapons to Iraqi insurgents, according to a United States military intelligence document publicly released February 11. The report details evidence of Iran supplying shoulder-fired missiles, armor-piercing bombs, tnt, rockets and other weapons, as well as money, to Iraqi Shiite extremists.

The report, “Iranian Support for Lethal Activity in Iraq,” states that money and weapons components are shipped into Iraq across the Iranian border in vehicles that travel at night.

An analysis of captured devices and examination of debris after attacks provides strong evidence of Iranian involvement. Key metal components required for the sophisticated machinery are not found in Iraq and must come from the outside, other U.S. intelligence sources have shown. Some components of the bombs have been found with Iranian factory markings on them. Serial numbers and other markings on weapon fragments clearly point to Iran as the source. U.S. forces found additional proof when large amounts of tnt with Farsi writing were recovered.

Among the weapons supplied by Iran is the deadliest bomb used against American troops in Iraq. U.S. intelligence sources have found no indication of a black-market trade of the Iranian-produced weapon, and instead suggest that shipments are made directly to Shiite militants from across the Iranian border.

Arms shipments from Iran have resulted in a larger death toll on American soldiers stationed in Iraq; defense officials estimate 620 wounded and over 170 Americans dead due to these weapons. One such weapon traced back to Iran is an armor-piercing bomb known as an explosively formed penetrator, or efp. efps are designed to pierce armor and have been effective against the armor-reinforced Humvee.

The February 11 report states the Iranians involved are members of the al-Quds force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Some U.S. congressmen are skeptical of any evidence suggesting the Iranian government is involved. But the report is forceful on the point, quoting a senior defense official saying the support is “coming from the highest levels of the Iranian government.” In fact, one of the Iranian officials recently detained by U.S. forces in Iraq was Moshin Chizari, a very senior Revolutionary Guards commander.

One 2006 intelligence assessment stated that Iran’s aim is “to make a military presence in Iraq more costly for the U.S.” This is an understatement. Iran’s goals extend beyond trying to secure a U.S. withdrawal. Tehran is working hard to become the major power in the Middle East. For more information on its regional ambitions and to find out where its ambitions are prophesied to end, read our booklet The King of the South.