American and Israeli officials told the New York Times newspaper that Yasser Arafat has formed an alliance with Iran. Under the partnership Iran has been shipping heavy weaponry and millions of dollars to the PLO in order for Arafat to continue his 18-month-old Oslo War against Israel. Questions about Iran-PLO relations arose last December when Israeli special forces raided the Karin A shipping vessel and found over 50 tons of Iranian-supplied weapons headed for PLO controlled areas in Gaza. Later, the ship\'s captain, a high-ranking member of the PLO navy, admitted during questioning that upper echelon PLO officials had authorized the arms smuggling operation.
According to the New York Times report, officials of Israel and the US say that they believe that Mr. Arafat personally approved the dealings with Iran. Israeli officials also think that there is new evidence that Iranian officials have allowed Al Qaeda to use the country as a staging area to carry out attacks on Western targets.
According to the New York Times report, officials of Israel and the US say that they believe that Mr. Arafat personally approved the dealings with Iran. Israeli officials also think that there is new evidence that Iranian officials have allowed Al Qaeda to use the country as a staging area to carry out attacks on Western targets.