Office of the Historian

206. Intelligence Information Cable Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency1

[cable number not declassified]
Washington, February 12, 1980

COUNTRY

  • Iran/Afghanistan/USSR

SUBJECT

  • Comments by President Bani-Sadr on Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan and on Iranian Support for Afghan Rebels [1 line not declassified]

SOURCE

  • [2½ lines not declassified]

1. In early February 1980, Iranian President-elect Abdulhassan Bani-Sadr stated in a private conversation that he opposed the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, and that he considered an armed Soviet presence there a threat to the security of Iran. Bani-Sadr said that if the Soviets invaded Iran, Iran would fight them with all the means at her disposal. However, Bani-Sadr added, he expected Afghani opposition to the Soviet presence in Afghanistan to increase and to fully occupy the efforts of the Soviets.

2. Bani-Sadr said that because of current internal turmoil, and because of the Iranian-American confrontation, Iran could not afford to antagonize the Soviets. Nevertheless, Bani-Sadr confided, Iran would give arms and funds to the Afghani rebels, who had recently formed a united opposition to the Soviets. Bani-Sadr added that Iran would also undertake military training of Afghani rebels. Bani-Sadr added that Saudi Arabia was also aiding the Afghani rebels, primarily by sending them funds through Pakistan. (Source comment: Bani-Sadr did not elaborate on Iranian plans to assist the rebels, nor did he mention the source of his information concerning Saudi aid.)

3. ACQ: [1 line not declassified]

4. [less than 1 line not declassified] Dissem: [5 lines not declassified]

  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Intelligence, Office of Support Services, Job 97S00360R, Intelligence Document Collection (1977–1981), Box 84 (3150130080–3150299980). Secret; [handling restriction not declassified].↩