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CIA Op Aims to Destabilize Iran

Covert campaign suggests financial pressure favored over military action

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2007 5:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Bush has secretly approved a CIA "black" operation to destabilize the Iranian government, ABC reports. Sources tell ABC the covert mission deploys propaganda, misinformation, and financial manipulation. A retired senior CIA official says economic pressure may be the most effective means to curb Iran's nuclear buildup.

The operation suggests that a military attack against Iran is off the table, at least for now, sources tell ABC. Privy to the plan is Deputy National Security Advisor Elliott Abrams, whose last tangle with Iran left him with criminal charges, stemming from his role in the Iran-Contra affair. "The entire plan has been blessed by Abrams, in particular," one intelligence source tells ABC.

President Bush (Getty Images)

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CIA Op Aims to Destabilize Iran

Covert campaign suggests financial pressure favored over military action

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More Newser Stories

US Media Leading Propaganda War on Iran

It's blindly beating the war drums once again: Glenn Greenwald

Mystery Blasts: Part of Covert Iran War?

CIA, Mossad may be orchestrating attacks

CIA Spies Captured in Middle East

Officials fear they will be executed

Ex-CIA Agent Arrested Over Leak to Times Reporter

Jeffrey Sterling allegedly leaked details of spy war with Iran

Condemned Iranian Woman: 'I'm a Sinner'

Facing death, Ashtiani allegedly confesses on television

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CIA Op Aims to Destabilize Iran

Covert campaign suggests financial pressure favored over military action

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iran • CIA • propaganda • manipulation • Elliott Abrams • Iran Contra

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Media Leading Propaganda War on Iran

It's blindly beating the war drums once again: Glenn Greenwald

Mystery Blasts: Part of Covert Iran War?

CIA, Mossad may be orchestrating attacks

CIA Spies Captured in Middle East

Officials fear they will be executed

Ex-CIA Agent Arrested Over Leak to Times Reporter

Jeffrey Sterling allegedly leaked details of spy war with Iran

Condemned Iranian Woman: 'I'm a Sinner'

Facing death, Ashtiani allegedly confesses on television

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?