After weeks of dubious media reports surrounding allegations Russia had offered bounties to Afghan militants to attack US forces, the story has moved on, and is now accusing Iran of doing the exact same thing.
The evidence doesn’t seem to be any better than it was in Russia, based on speculation, though media reports are now trying to hinge the story on military intelligence reports saying Iran might’ve conceivably paid bounties to the Haqqani Network.
This speculation appears to be built entirely on the fact that the Haqqanis were blamed for an attack on Bagram. Since the attack happened, and the report operated on the assumption Iran might’ve wanted it, they speculated that money might’ve been paid.
Yet once again, the evidence is non-existent, and the media is reaching heavily to find a way to tie all this together, noting the US claimed Iran-Taliban ties in assassinating Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which happened well after the Bagram incident.
Media Reports Accuse Iran of Offering Bounties in Afghanistan
Intel report speculates bounties were paid to Haqqani Network
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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