Iran paid Taliban for attacks on Americans: report

The US reportedly identified payments tied to six attacks last year, including an attack in December on a building outside Bagram air base.

By AFP

2020-08-18

In this file photo taken July 2nd, 2002, US soldiers drive past Chinook helicopters at Bagram air base. Iran offered the Taliban bounties to attack US and coalition soldiers in Afghanistan, CNN reported on August 17th, citing US military intelligence. [Jewel Samad/AFP]

Iran offered the Taliban bounties to attack US and international coalition soldiers in Afghanistan, just as Russia allegedly did, CNN reported Tuesday (August 18th) citing US military intelligence.

CNN said the US identified payments tied to six attacks last year, including an attack in December on a building outside Bagram air base near Kabul.

The attack, which CNN said killed two Afghan civilians and left four Americans injured, brought US-Taliban peace negotiations to a temporary halt.

The US Department of Defense would not confirm or deny the CNN report.

Maj. Rob Lodewick, a Pentagon spokesman, said the department does not disclose details of internal discussions on intelligence.

But he said the department "has repeatedly demanded, both publicly and privately, that Iran cease its scourge of malign and destabilising behaviour throughout the Middle East and the world".

"Iran's inimical influence seeks to undermine the Afghan peace process and foster a continuation of violence and instability," he added.

In June US media reported that intelligence had determined that Russia had offered the Taliban bounties to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan.