Brian Hook, the U.S. special representative for Iran
RFE: U.S. Envoy Says Iran Has Spent $16 Billion To Fund Militias In Syria, Iraq
Brian Hook, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, says Tehran has spent some $16 billion to fund Shi’ite-led militias in Syria and Iraq.
Hook made the comments in an interview broadcast on October 31 by Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya but did not specify what period of time he was citing.
Shi'ite Iran has wielded influence in Iraq since dictator Saddam Hussein's ouster following a 2003 U.S.-led invasion, and it backs powerful Shi'ite militias in the country, including Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, often in conflict with the country’s Sunni minority.
Washington still provides Baghdad with military, political, and financial aid, and Iraq has attempted to balance its ties to both the United States and neighboring Iran.
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Update #1: US envoy: Iran has spent $16 billion on militias in Iraq, Syria (Times of Israel)
Update #2: U.S. envoy for Iran says Tehran spent $16 billion on 'militias' in Iraq, Syria: Al Arabiya (Reuters)
WNU Editor: This is not working for Iran in places like Iraq .... Exclusive: Iran intervenes to prevent ousting of Iraqi prime minister - sources (Reuters). And I am willing to bet that Iran is not going to foot any of that $250 billion reconstruction bill for Syria.
