The comments provided by Tony Passarelli are the very reason why conflicts like this will never reach a peaceful solution. While people are willing to subscribe their actions to a higher power's orders, common sense and diplomacy (not democracy) will never prevail.

Dave Oakley, Manchester, UK

As with all these claims against Iran, there is never any real evidence.

"These are very sophisticated IEDs [improvised explosive devices] and they’re really not manufactured in any other place to our knowledge than Iran"

That says it all: they don't know where they were manufactured. In fact, they recently discovered a factory in Iraq making them: there could easily be other factories in Iraq, or elsewhere.

The neo-cons want a war with Iran, and they are faking 'evidence' to promote it, just as they did with Iraq.

David Fincham, Lincoln, England

What a load of donkey doo, people forget the iranians actually went to war with the taliban before 2001, people also forget that the iranians actually helped us invade afghanistan and iraq. guess Mr brown got his orders last week..

Maybe alittle more research and less relieing on the memos you get from your owners on which way to steer the news this week.

simone, dales, oxford

If the exlosive devices are made in a factory, how does the term IED apply? Sounds purpose built rather than improvised to me. I agree at least in part with T.W. (ex-army) tthe EU and the rest of NATO need to pitch in. Either they don't realize this is ultimately their war too, or they are trying to get a free ride like they did against the Soviet Union during the cold war (let's let the crazy americans foot the bill!). It's reminiscent of the appeasement phase of world war II where everyone thought if they ignored it that it might go away. I don't recall America targetting Al Qaeda or the Taliban prior to their repeated attacks on american embassies and world trade center as well as the singular attacks on the Pentagon, and USS Cole. I suppose many said "Oh they're only attacking Americans. We shouldn't get involved" Well its a different world now and if you don't realize it you should look at the attacks done by radical islam across the globe to know that it's coming here too.

Jim Mason (Canadian in U.S.), Sugar Land, Texas

Well said Ronald E. Watts. A lot of people the world over will be thinking exactly the same way. This invasion of Afghanistan is no more legal than the Soviet invasion, which the US and Britain condemned - I should think most Middle Eastern people of the region wish to help provide weapons in order to rid themselves of the illegal Western invaders. Who was it who said, "Beware of invaders who come posing as liberators"?

Neil, Glouestershire, England

The arrogance of the Western leaders in portraying our Forces as some kind of knights in shining armour beggars belief. The fact is the US, aided and abetted by the UK, and operating under the guise of NATO, are killing hundreds, perhaps thousands of innocent Afghan people every day. All in the pursuit of vainly trying to install "puppet" regimes. It is the fact that Western Governments have been installing "puppet" regimes in the Middle East , drawing up national boundaries, and in one case Britain actually gave one Middle Eastern country away (Palestine) to a bunch of Eastern European thugs, for the past 107 years (since oil was discovered in the area. It is this arrogance which is causing the young people people of this part of the world to react against the West. It comes out as a religious conflict because for the most part these people cannot trust their political leaders - they are puppets of the West.

Neil, Glouestershire, England

The purpose of going to war in Afghanistan was (we were told) to root out Al Qaeda and the perpetrators of the attacks on the United States in September 2001.
This objective is completely and utterly at odds with trying to install a functional democracy in Afghanistan. I do not recall a point where the UK public were told of a change in mission, nor do I see reports of captured terrorists; those responsible for the crime that brought the coalition to Afghanistan in the first place.
The truth is that installing democracies (that our governements can accept) could take two or three generations and realistically, this may not even be possible.
Time to get real.

Simon Moore, London,

People are calling for a political solution. Yes they are correct, use of force will not solve this conflict. The problem with attempting a political solution is there has to be a degree of trust among the the parties involved. I want this war to stop now. But at this time I feel that if the olive branch of peace is offered to the radical Muslims, I just dont believe they want peace. I just cant see them stopping.

James Gostkowski, Knoxville TN, USA

Aren't UK forces in Afghanistan with a UN mandate? in that case why isn't the American government reporting the Iranians to the UN? Even if the producers and suppliers of the IEDs are not under Iranian government control, it was sufficient that Al-quadia was rumoured to be in Iraq to tip the scales on the questionable resolution on WMD.

Or are we seeing the US government and oil companies lining up another Commercial acquisition of oil resources by military action...

Andrew Smith, Eastbourne, UK

Our blokes don't stand much of a chance when we have a criminally incompentent government which denies them the equipment they need. Didn't Teflon Tone say last year our forces would get what ever they needed?
They are still waiting and in the meantime they are getting killed and maimed. Brown is as culpable as his predecessor.

roger jones, kettering,

i think all the problems is due to different religions, so why not ban all religions and then we can all get along, as people still fighting today ,its like get a grip, i can think of better things to do in life eh.
but i will comment muslims are the ones who started this stupid holy war by blowing up people n killing innocent people, now how can god say that is great eh........ and as for osama bin laden, he is a coward a divvy and a weirdo, also it obvious he is dead as a dodo....

lee f, newark, uk

What have things come to, when the illegal invaders try to convince everybody that they are "the Goodies", believing that they have the divine right to be the only ones to use sophisticated weapons. The Americans supplied 'Stingers' to be used against the Russian illegal invaders, so why shouldn't somebody, even if it is Iran (which I seriously doubt anyway), supply weapons to fight the British and American illegal invaders?
When justice, the rule of law and the implementation of human rights are truly respected, and not used selectively to promote self-interest, there will be no need for all these hopeless wars anyway.

Ronald E. Watts, Nicosia, Cyprus

If the EU doesn´t put its weight fully behind the operations in Afghanistan, why are we and the other, notably few NATO countries there at all? This MUST be resolved, now, or our troops should be withdrawn.

T.W. (ex-army), Malaga, Spain

You drop 2000 lb bombs on these peasants and then cry when they develop something more sophisticated to fight back.

Cry Babies.

Olivia, Manchester, UK

We must act against Iran soon before they get nuclear weapons and then will be too late. If it is proved beyond doubt that Iran is supplying weapon to either or both Afghanistan taliban or Iraqi insurgents then we have no choice but to go firmly after Iran.

John, London, uk

Is that breaking glass I hear?? Coalition forces are interfering in Afghanistan. Why should the Iranians refrain from the same? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones... Remember, the US had no qualms about dealing with the Taliban until they blocked US plans for the construction of oil pipelines across Central Asia from the rich oilfields in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, through Afghanistan and Pakistan, to the Indian Ocean. The Taliban may be brutal, but you don't really think the US et al are haemorraging such blood and treasure just to help the people of Afghanistan.. And as for "fighting the war on terror" - clearly thats just a line used to distract those who live their lives with blinkers on.. It keeps Joe six-pack behind the marines don't ya know-Hoorah! To keep things in perspective, how much terror have the US/UK handed out to Iraqi families during their dirty little war these past years? Headlines like this come and go.. Sit back and see the big picture.

Andy, Dublin,

You write: "They (Iranians) see the British as the manipulative Machiavellian characters and the Americans as our dim cousins who carry out the dirty work for us.”
With profound and undisputed historical justification - e.g. the US-British overthrow of Mosaddeq's democratically elected government in 1953.

TimothyL, NY , US

Your proganda is falling on deaf ears. Get a life, you sycophants to power.

esqueleto, madrid, Spain

" The official added that he was unaware of any specific arms sales, but added: “From an Iranian position it’s easy to feel encircled, particularly when you consider they are paranoid to begin with. They see the British as the manipulative Machiavellian characters and the Americans as our dim cousins who carry out the dirty work for us.” "

Oh, yes, sure, it's so strange that they're paranoid.
Typing in "operation ajax" on google search can shed some light one just one of the reasons for that....

Paul Stern, Nottingham,

Solo, Columbus
"You're the brains and we're the mussels."

Yea - well it's easy to see why you guys are not the brains ..!

Sean Shalor, Coventry, UK

I think its time for a little retaliation against Iran.Either the government is totally comitted to helping Afghanistan or its not in which case we should pull out.Iran, it seems, is fighting a proxy war both in Afghanistan and Iraq.Its time to take out their nuclear program before it takes large swathes of this country out by its support for terrorism.Someone, Churchill I think, said " jaw jaw is better than war war" and so it is but appeasement is no answer to a terrorist.

RMR, Sandown, Isle of Wight

what on earth is he point in wasting the lives of young people on both sides of this conflict ... At some point there has to be a political solution .. why not get started with some dialogue sooner rather than later.
If there is ever going to be peace in the region both Iran and Syria have to be involved, surely that is obvious ... Force of arms will never win out ... I refuse to believe a political solution, such was achieved in Northern Ireland cannot be concluded for both Iraq and Afghanistan if the interested parties really apply themselves to find compromises and solutions

andy james, Lyon, France

You hear that, Brits? You're the brains and we're the mussels. The Iranians really do make the best comedians on Earth!

Solo, Columbus, USA/Ohio

Gabriel did his job! Christ (the word) was ignored and Christianity became a perversion because no one listens to Christ's teachings at all!
The Jews are the sons of Jacob who was a liar and deceiver! He stole Esau's birthright that was why God named him Israel, which means he who struggles with God!
Jesus and King David were not Jews but Moabites!
The time of Jacob's trouble is near as told by Isaiah..God will stir the Medes (Iran) who have no regard for silver or Gold! Isaiah 13:17

Tony Passarelli, Nottingham, israel