World Threats

The Treasury Department earlier revealed the existence of a “secret deal” between the Iranian regime and Al-Qaeda to permit the passage of arms, money and personnel through Iran to Pakistan. Now, the administration is offering $10 million for information leading to the arrest or killing of a senior Al-Qaeda leader named Yasin al-Suri in Iran.

The State Department flatly states, “Iranian authorities maintain a relationship with al-Suri and have permitted him to operate within Iran’s borders since 2005.” He is an “important fundraiser” for the terrorist group, delivering money from the Gulf to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also negotiates with Iran for the release of Al-Qaeda terrorists.

The Long War Journal adds that Pakistani intelligence believes al-Suri is in Zahedan, Iran, where an Al-Qaeda network has been reported for a long time.  LWJ explains that an Al-Qaeda terrorist referred to as “Inayatullah” told his interrogators that he was the group’s “Emir of Zahedan” and that he oversaw the movement of operatives through Iran. This means that Inayatullah is almost certainly a close associate of al-Suri’s.

Here’s why that is important. Inayatullah worked with other senior terrorists that participated in the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005 and the foiled 2006 operation to destroy British airliners flying out of Heathrow Airport. This doesn’t establish a direct Iranian link to these plots but given Iran’s participation in other Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks, the potential involvement of a senior Al-Qaeda leader based in Iran with a known relationship with the regime is significant.