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CNN Live Today

Defense Officials Claim Iran Now Supporting al Qaeda

Aired April 02, 2002 - 13:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: There is growing speculation that Iran has become a sanctuary for al Qaeda terrorists. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed this earlier today, but we've got Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr to tell us more about it right now -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol. Well, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been sounding a theme this week, and that's criticism of Iraq and Syria, to begin with, for their support for the suicide bombings and violence in Israel as well as their continuing support for terrorism. But Rumsfeld strongest criticism today was reserved for Iran for both their support for Hezbollah and Iran's apparent support for the al Qaeda. He said that there is now evidence the al Qaeda is inside Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: There is no question but that al Qaeda have moved in and found sanctuary in Iran. And there is no question but that al Qaeda have moved into Iran and out of Iran to the south and dispersed to some other countries. To my knowledge, they are not operating out of Iran, in the sense that they were out of Afghanistan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Senior military officials tell CNN that there is now very clear evidence to them that top level al Qaeda officials have in recent weeks moved into Iran and have begun to find some level of sanctuary there.

That development combined with Iran's support for Hezbollah, Rumsfeld's criticism of Syria and Iraq, begins to pose a problem for the Bush administration. Officials say how do they achieve real peace with Israel as long as these three countries continue to support the violence that is emerging in Israel, and can they really achieve an end to the war on terrorism as long as these three countries continue to operate in this manner -- Carol.

LIN: All right. Thank you very much, Barbara Starr. That story obviously continuing.

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