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US, Iran Split Over Terrorist Group

As talks loom, Iran seethes over US-sponsored group

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2007 3:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – As the US and Iran inch toward the table, a sticky wicket could be the US relationship with the Mujahedin e-Khalq, a paramilitary group that militantly opposes the Tehran government. The US, meanwhile, shelters the MEK in a base on the Iraq-Iran border that has become the organization's operations center.

The US agrees in classing the MEK as a terrorist organization, and has disarmed the fighters in the Iraq base. But the military covertly uses the organization as an intelligence tool and a counterweight to Iran. As the US demands that Iran cease support for the militias terrorizing Baghdad, Iran may ask for a reciprocal cutoff of the MEK.

Members of the People's Mujahedin of Iran, an Iranian militant group, dance around fire during celebrations at their camp about 65 miles north of Baghdad.
Members of the People's Mujahedin of Iran, an Iranian militant group, dance around fire during celebrations at their camp about 65 miles north of Baghdad.   (KRT Photos)
Ahmad Iranpoor, 19, left, and his brother Mohamed Iranpoor, 25, joined the People's Mujahedin of Iran two years ago after being persecuted as dissidents by the Islamic regime in their native Iran.
Ahmad Iranpoor, 19, left, and his brother Mohamed Iranpoor, 25, joined the People's Mujahedin of Iran two years ago after being persecuted as dissidents by the Islamic regime in their native Iran.   (KRT Photos)
A member of the People's Mujahedin of Iran points to photos of the group's supporters killed under the Iranian regime. The museum is at Camp Ashraf, the Iraqi base of the militant group.
A member of the People's Mujahedin of Iran points to photos of the group's supporters killed under the Iranian regime. The museum is at Camp Ashraf, the Iraqi base of the militant group.   (KRT Photos)
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