(Sky News-UK) Sam Kiley - Iran and al-Qaeda's core leadership under Ayman al-Zawahiri have established an "operational relationship" amid fears the terror group is planning a spectacular attack against the West in revenge for the killing of Osama bin Laden. Sky News' intelligence sources have said Iran has been supplying al-Qaeda with training in the use of advanced explosives, "some funding and a safe haven" as part of a deal first worked out in 2009. Al-Zawahiri is believed to be planning a "classic" al-Qaeda attack, simultaneously on multiple locations, which would confirm the mantle he has assumed as the leader of the global jihad. A source said: "Iran is the main route through which funding for the organizations is made, the main route for operatives to travel to Pakistan for training, and it is the only real way by which al-Zawahiri can control and order a major attack." "We do know that an operation is under way. We assess that the most likely target is to be European," a source said. A secret intelligence memo, seen by Sky News, said: "Against the background of intensive co-operation over recent months between Iran and al-Qaeda - with a view to conducting a joint attack against Western targets overseas....Iran has significantly stepped up its investment, maintenance and improvement of operational and intelligence ties with the al-Qaeda leadership in Pakistan in recent months."
2012-02-17 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive