Iran Secretly Helping Their Sunni Enemies, U.S. Says

This looks like an effort at perception management, the American public being the intended audience.

The assertion that Iran is working with Sunni Arab militias is the giveaway.

Iran is secretly forging ties with al-Qaida elements and Sunni Arab militias in Iraq in preparation for a summer showdown with coalition forces intended to tip a wavering US Congress into voting for full military withdrawal, US officials say.

"Iran is fighting a proxy war in Iraq and it's a very dangerous course for them to be following. They are already committing daily acts of war against US and British forces," a senior US official in Baghdad warned. "They [Iran] are behind a lot of high-profile attacks meant to undermine US will and British will, such as the rocket attacks on Basra palace and the Green Zone [in Baghdad]. The attacks are directed by the Revolutionary Guard who are connected right to the top [of the Iranian government]."

The official said US commanders were bracing for a nationwide, Iranian-orchestrated summer offensive, linking al-Qaida and Sunni insurgents to Tehran's Shia militia allies, that Iran hoped would trigger a political mutiny in Washington and a US retreat. "We expect that al-Qaida and Iran will both attempt to increase the propaganda and increase the violence prior to Petraeus's report in September [when the US commander General David Petraeus will report to Congress on President George Bush's controversial, six-month security "surge" of 30,000 troop reinforcements]," the official said.

The designed conclusion to be drawn is that political movement in Washington towards the exits in Iraq would be a result of us being duped by the manipulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Since no self-respecting politician can afford to look weak on national security, this manufactured line by U.S. officials is sure to carry great weight as doubts about the "surge" grow even among the most clueless lawmakers in Washington.

Like the "they'll follow us home" meme, this American propaganda product can be expected to be used with great effect upon those wanting an end to our counterproductive Iraq endeavor.