Suspected Smugglers Of Weapons Are Held in Iraq

By BUSHRA JUHI, Associated Press
July 23, 2007

BAGHDAD — American troops yesterday detained two suspected weapons smugglers who may be linked to Iran's elite Quds Force, the military said, as Washington presses allegations that Tehran is supporting violence in Iraq despite plans for new bilateral talks on the issue.

The suspects and a number of weapons were seized during a raid on a rural farm compound in eastern Iraq, near the Iranian border, according to a military statement.

"The suspects may be associated with a network of terrorists that have been smuggling explosively formed projectiles (EFPs), other weapons, personnel, and money from Iran into Iraq," the military said, referring to powerful, armor-piercing roadside bombs that have killed hundreds of American soldiers in recent months.

The announcement came just days after Washington said it was ready to hold new direct talks with Iran on the deteriorating security situation in Iraq amid American allegations that Tehran is supporting violent Shiite militias in the country.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Tuesday that no date had been set for the talks, but he suggested that discussions were under way on setting a time for the meeting, which would be the first between the two arch-foes since late May when the American ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, met Iranian officials in Baghdad.

That May 28 meeting marked a break in a 27-year diplomatic freeze and was expected to have been followed within a month by a second encounter. But tensions have risen over Tehran's detention of four Iranian-American scholars and activists charged with endangering national security.