Full Focus

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G8 Summit at Lough Erne in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland June 17, 2013. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Editor's choice

Our top photos from the past 24 hours.   Slideshow 

 

Pictures

Photo

Reuters Photojournalism

Our day's top images, in-depth photo essays and offbeat slices of life. See the best of Reuters photography.  See more | Photo caption 

Photo

Rage in Brazil

Mass protests erupt in the biggest cities of Brazil.  Slideshow 

Photo

The Afghan Army

The many faces of the Afghan National Army, which has taken over security of the country from NATO.  Slideshow 

Sponsored Links

U.S. officials: Iran's supreme leader likely knew of plot

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at Azadi sport complex during his visit of Kermanshah, west of Tehran, October 12, 2011. REUTERS/Leader.ir/Handout

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at Azadi sport complex during his visit of Kermanshah, west of Tehran, October 12, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Leader.ir/Handout

Related Topics

WASHINGTON | Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:52pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials said on Wednesday it was "more than likely" that Iran's supreme leader and the head of its Quds force knew of the alleged plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington, but acknowledged the claim was based on analysis rather than hard evidence.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said it was quite possible that Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, did not know of the alleged plan to assassinate the ambassador, Adel al-Jubeir.

Iran's supreme leader is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The United States on Tuesday disclosed what it said was a plot linked to the Quds force, an arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to kill al-Jubeir in Washington.

But the officials acknowledged that the plan's exotic elements, including an attempt to hire a hit man from a Mexican drug cartel, were far "outside the pattern" of the Quds force's past activity.

(Reporting by Mark Hosenball; editing by Will Dunham)
U.S.
World
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
Comments (6)
DrJJJJ wrote:
Iranian young people: time to over throw your leaders-they are leading you to war! God is love not hate! Any essential religious doctrine on earth that commands you to kill others because they have a different religion/or make poor moral decisions is EVIL PERIOD! If you want to live in a vaccum, we’ll respect that! If you want to attack Israel prepare for a war you don’t want/can’t win! Israel has 6,000 nuclear warheads and many are pointed at you and they will use them FYI! Doesn’t include our military either FYI!Please choose peace, God Bless ya!

Oct 12, 2011 1:25pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
JohnG-73645 wrote:
Isn’t is ironic how the US and Israel assassinate Iranian nuclear scientists and then have the gall to point fingers at Iran?

Oct 12, 2011 1:45pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
DrJJJJ wrote:
John, Iran needs a few good men-see ya! Your misinformation is consistent with the Iranian leadership-you’ll fit right in!

Oct 12, 2011 1:57pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.
See All Comments »