NATO General Says Iran Helping Afghanistan, Taliban

(RFE/RL) June 12, 2007 -- NATO's top commander in Afghanistan, U.S. General Dan McNeil, says there is evidence that Iran is helping both the Afghan government and Taliban insurgency.

McNeil said Iran is helping with road construction and electricity in western Afghanistan, but he also said recent improvements in Taliban tactics could be an indication of better training by Iranian advisers.

Iran rejects the claim, saying it makes no sense for a Shi'ite government to help a fundamentalist Sunni movement. When the Taliban was in power in Afghanistan prior to 2001, Tehran backed forces fighting against the regime.

(AP)