Why is Iran conspiring with Mexican drug dealers?

Posted By José R. Cárdenas Wednesday, October 12, 2011 - 4:34 PM Share

Much of official Washington has been stunned by the Justice Department announcement this week that an Iranian-American, acting on behalf of the elite Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, has been arrested for allegedly conspiring with an individual he believed was tied to a violent Mexican drug cartel to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States and carry out other possible terrorist activities.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, for one, remarked, "The idea that [Iran] would attempt to go to a Mexican drug cartel to solicit murder-for-hire to kill the Saudi ambassador, nobody could make that up, right?"

But as outlandish as it may seem, it can also be seen as the fruits of Iran's steady expansion into Latin America and attempts to make common cause with transnational criminal operations in its global conflict with the United States.

Last week, former Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere Roger Noriega and I co-authored a paper, The Mounting Hezbollah Threat in Latin America, for the American Enterprise Institute, in which we establish that, over the last several years, Iran, with its Hezbollah proxy in tow, has made a major diplomatic and economic push into the Western Hemisphere. Their goals are three-fold: to break down their international isolation and gain access to strategic resources; undermine U.S. influence in the region; and establish a new platform from which to wage their war against the United States.

That effort has been largely facilitated by Venezuela's Hugo Chávez, who has served as the principal interlocutor on Iran's behalf with other like-minded governments in the region, primarily the Rafael Correa and Evo Morales governments in Ecuador and Bolivia, respectively, who themselves have established dubious networks with criminal groups.

Moreover, Iran and Hezbollah's ties to Mexican drug cartels are nothing new. For years, they have been involved in drug smuggling and people smuggling in Mexico and across the U.S. border.

What experts say is new, however, and indicative of a deepening relationship, is Mexican drug traffickers' increasing use of small improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and car bombs in waging their mayhem in Mexico, an expertise for which Hezbollah is particularly known; and, secondly, the ongoing discovery of increasingly sophisticated narco-tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border, which experts say ­resemble the type used by Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Frankly, from their own warped perspectives, it would be more surprising if there was no cooperation between Iran-Hezbollah and Mexican cartels, given the obvious benefits to both criminal enterprises. The cartels are able to access Hezbollah's smuggling and explosives expertise and links with drug trafficking networks in the Middle East and South Asia (the alleged Quds Force operative also reportedly offered opium shipments from the Middle East to Mexico). In turn, Iran and Hezbollah are able to establish a presence and develop assets in a lawless environment with ready access to the U.S. border that can go operational when the need arises -- as it apparently did in this case.

To be sure, trying to arrange the assassination of a foreign diplomat on U.S. soil represents an ominous turn in Iranian strategy against the United States. In any case, the stakes are clear. In a May 2011 visit to Bolivia, Iranian Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi proclaimed that in the event of any military confrontation between Iran and the United States, "The strong Iran is ready for enemy-crushing and tough response in case of any illogical and violent behavior by the U.S." It seems we now have a pretty good idea on how Iran will rely on its new-found friends in the Western Hemisphere to carry out that threat.

YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images

EXPLORE:IRAN, MEXICO
 

JEANPOMEL

5:56 AM ET

October 13, 2011

What ?

Ok, IRAN is working with MEXICAN drug dealers ?! I get it. They can no longer cooperate with Taliban's poppy smugling, since the US has taken over their part of the job, now they were obliged to go overseas and work with mexican drug dealers. Anyhow, i do think the international community will not take this seriously, America's credibility is over, only Israel will support.

Now lets get this article right:

"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, for one, remarked, "The idea that [Iran] would attempt to go to a Mexican drug cartel to solicit murder-for-hire to kill the Saudi ambassador, nobody could make that up, right?"

For sure. If i were a "plotmaker" at the MISIRI, i would not choose US soil to kill a Saudi Ambassador, i would obviously act under my area of influence. They sure can get someone to do this job in the ME, i could work with my anti-american partners and "jihadists". No need for articulating overseas.

"But as outlandish as it may seem, it can also be seen as the fruits of Iran's steady expansion into Latin America and attempts to make common cause with transnational criminal operations in its global conflict with the United States."

Oh, ok. Yes, of course. They must work with Venezuela's smuggling scheme. I am a latin american, there's no increase of ties with Iran. South America's most powerful country (BRAZIL) is backing down it's relations with Iran. Argentina is doing the same.

"Moreover, Iran and Hezbollah's ties to Mexican drug cartels are nothing new. For years, they have been involved in drug smuggling and people smuggling in Mexico and across the U.S. border."

Hezbollah ? are you serious ? In this case, "For Years.." seems like "Some Say.." on fox news to represent it's sources. Hezbollah has other things to do, so does Iran.

"What experts say is new, however, and indicative of a deepening relationship, is Mexican drug traffickers' increasing use of small improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and car bombs in waging their mayhem in Mexico, an expertise for which Hezbollah is particularly known; and, secondly, the ongoing discovery of increasingly sophisticated narco-tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border, which experts say ­resemble the type used by Hezbollah in Lebanon."

I guess any guy who has watched discovery channel and other networks (internet and so on) can make IEDs. And building a car bomb it is not a hard task. Actually, they possibly could get help from someone in the US, since you have a lot of unemployed veterans who would love get some american dollars in mexico and get a house on the beach. Not a moralistic Islamist. As for the tunnels.. you, sr, compare their tunnels with hezbollah's ones as if they were sophisticated.

"To be sure, trying to arrange the assassination of a foreign diplomat on U.S. soil represents an ominous turn in Iranian strategy against the United States. In any case, the stakes are clear. In a May 2011 visit to Bolivia, Iranian Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi proclaimed that in the event of any military confrontation between Iran and the United States, "The strong Iran is ready for enemy-crushing and tough response in case of any illogical and violent behavior by the U.S." It seems we now have a pretty good idea on how Iran will rely on its new-found friends in the Western Hemisphere to carry out that threat."

Of course Iran must be ready, it's national security is at risk, they are surrounded by the USA. We can also see another contreversie on this article. you allege Iran has found new friends, but you say it is not a new relationship. And Iranian defense brigadier general says that everywhere he goes. But putting in your article he said that specifically in Bolivia would have a greater impact, right ?

THIS is absurd. There's no logical sense on this allegations. A new enemy, a new lie. Reminds me of Saddam's story. Any person who has it's criticism working, history knowledge and logical thinking can dismiss this article and this allegations.

 

Shadow Government is a blog about U.S. foreign policy under the Obama administration, written by experienced policy makers from the loyal opposition and curated by Peter D. Feaver and William Inboden.

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