Some observers are speculating that the abduction of an Iranian diplomat in Peshawar, northern Pakistan, may signal a new conflict between Iran and al-Qaeda or the Taliban.

In the growing diplomatic tiff between Pakistan and Iran over the kidnapping in Peshawar of an Iranian diplomat, Hishmatullah Atharzadeh, the Pakistani authorities have blamed the Tehrik-i Taliban of Baitullah Mahsud. This is the group, based in the tribal agencies, that is known as the “Pakistani Taliban.”

Meanwhile, the Italian AKI news service reports a senior al-Qaeda militant as saying that the abduction was payback in reprisal for Iran’s hostile actions against al-Qaeda and the Taliban:

‘ The militant said Atharzadeh’s abduction was due to “the arrest of top Al-Qaeda leaders in Iran, for facilitating the US invasion on Iraq through pro-Iran militias and last but not the least for waging the war on the Taliban in Pakistani Khurram agency where Iran provided arms and ammunition to the Shia tribal groups to fight against the Taliban,” ‘

h/t In One Ear . . .

Some observers are speculating that the abduction of an Iranian diplomat in Peshawar, northern Pakistan, may signal a new conflict between Iran and al-Qaeda or the Taliban.

In the growing diplomatic tiff between Pakistan and Iran over the kidnapping in Peshawar of an Iranian diplomat, Hishmatullah Atharzadeh, the Pakistani authorities have blamed the Tehrik-i Taliban of Baitullah Mahsud. This is the group, based in the tribal agencies, that is known as the “Pakistani Taliban.”

Meanwhile, the Italian AKI news service reports a senior al-Qaeda militant as saying that the abduction was payback in reprisal for Iran’s hostile actions against al-Qaeda and the Taliban:

‘ The militant said Atharzadeh’s abduction was due to “the arrest of top Al-Qaeda leaders in Iran, for facilitating the US invasion on Iraq through pro-Iran militias and last but not the least for waging the war on the Taliban in Pakistani Khurram agency where Iran provided arms and ammunition to the Shia tribal groups to fight against the Taliban,” ‘

h/t In One Ear . . .