WASHINGTON — President Bush told Iran on Thursday that it faces serious retribution from the United States if it tries to destabilize the new interim government in Afghanistan or provides a haven for fleeing terrorists.
After months of tentative, post-Sept. 11 cooperation, Bush's sharp words raised questions about the future of what many U.S. officials had hoped was a budding relationship between the two countries.
Bush commented amid intelligence reports that some Osama bin Laden loyalists had crossed over Afghanistan's 600-mile border with Iran. U.S. officials also have become concerned about attempts by Iran to extend its political and military influence into western Afghanistan.
Bush made it clear that the U.S. is prepared to respond with more than rhetoric. He said that if Iranian officials "in any way, shape or form try to destabilize the [Afghan] government," the United States and its anti-Taliban allies will "deal with them . . . in diplomatic ways--initially."
"Iran must be a contributor in the war against terror," the president said. "Our nation and our fight against terror will uphold the doctrine: Either you're with us or against us."
An administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity conceded that the United States is unclear on exactly what role the government in Tehran may be playing.
But Bush's comments also came at a time when Iran is being linked to a boat loaded with 50 tons of weapons seized by Israel in the Red Sea on Jan. 3. U.S. officials believe the arms were bound for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In a briefing for U.S. officials in Washington on Wednesday, a top Israeli security official charged that senior Iranian government officials were directly involved in providing the arms.
After the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Iran cooperated with the U.S. in its war on terrorism. It pledged, for instance, to help with search-and-rescue missions if pilots were lost.
Iranian diplomats also backed U.S. and U.N. efforts to build an alternative regime in Kabul.
In recent weeks, U.S. officials have expressed hope that the Afghan crisis might provide common ground for the U.S. and Iran to improve relations, and Bush suggested as much Thursday.
"We had some positive signals early in this war from the Iranians. We would hope that they would continue to be a positive force in helping us bring people to justice," he said.
