Russia Refutes Washington's Claims on Iran-Al-Qaeda Ties

Russian Foreign Ministry's Second Asian Department Director Zamir Kabulov said that Washington claims that Iran has become a "haven" for "al Qaeda" organization, are baseless.

In a press statement to Sputnik news agency, he emphasized that Moscow has no data on Tehran's ties to the organization.

Yesterday, Reuters quoted sources that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to use newly declassified U.S. intelligence to publicly accuse Iran of ties to al Qaeda, as part of a last-minute offensive against Tehran before handing over his post.

Two people familiar with the matter said that Pompeo is expected to offer details on allegations that Iran has given safe haven to al Qaeda leaders and support for the group, despite some skepticism within the intelligence community and Congress.

Pompeo is expected to cite, in his speech to the National Press Club in Washington on Tuesday,  declassified information on the killing of al Qaeda’s suspected second-in-command in Tehran in August.