White House pushes Iran-Al Qaeda ties as possible pretext for invasion

Trump officials are promoting a narrative that Iran is involved with Al Qaeda terrorists, in what seems to be an echo of the Bush administration’s pretext for the invasion of Iraq.

According to The New York Times, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has briefed members of Congress about a pattern of ties between the parties dating back to 2001. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) both told the publication that senior Trump officials have repeatedly raised concerns regarding Iran’s relationship with the terrorist cell, and speculated the White House may invoke 2001’s war authorization as basis for military action against Tehran.

Former President George W. Bush promoted a similar narrative when he said Iraq had “numerous contacts” with Al Qaeda, even after the commission tasked with investigating the September 11th terrorist attacks found no “credible evidence” that Saddam Hussein’s regime was responsible.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Congress passed two Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in 2001 and 2002. Although the 2002 law authorized the Iraq invasion, it is the 2001 resolution that Democrats worry Trump may use as legal grounds for attacking Iran—since it allows the White House to take military action against any entity who “aided” or “harbored” Al Qaeda members.

Full report:

https://observer.com/2019/06/white-house-iran-al-queda-ties-invasion-pretext/

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