Current Events

AFP: The United States accused Iran of helping Syria in its efforts to crack down on pro-democracy demonstrators. "We believe that there is credible information that Iran is assisting Syria... in quelling the protesters," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner, calling the development a "real concern." The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Tehran was providing Syria with equipment to put down protests and monitor opposition groups, with more shipments expected, citing US officials. "We believe that Iran is materially assisting the Syrian government in its efforts to suppress their own people," officials told the paper, adding that Tehran was sharing "lessons learned" from the 2009 post-election crackdown on demonstrations that sought the ouster of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad >>>