WASHINGTON -- The United States blocked an Iranian cargo plane'sflight to Syria last month after intelligence analysts concluded itwas carrying missiles and launchers to resupply Hezbollah in Lebanon,two U.S. intelligence officials say.
Eight days after Hezbollah's war with Israel began, U.S. diplomatspersuaded Turkey and Iraq to deny the plane permission to cross theirterritory to Damascus, a transfer point for arms to Hezbollah, theofficials said.
Their account illustrates the quiet support the United States gaveIsrael in the 34-day war, even enlisting help from Muslim nationswhere acting on Israel's behalf is politically dangerous.
RICE: 'I CAN'T COMMENT'
Israel and President Bush have accused the Shiite-dominatedgovernment of Iran, Hezbollah's primary supplier, of shipping theShiite guerrillas weapons by way of Syria.
The Iraq and Turkish governments would not discuss the incident.Iran's United Nations mission denied trying to send Hezbollahweapons. The intelligence officials' account could not be verified.
Asked about the account, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said,"We work on these kinds of things all the time." But she added, "Ican't comment on specific cases."
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that countriesthat don't have diplomatic relations with the Jewish state should notparticipate in the international peacekeeping force that will policea truce along the Lebanese border.
In Lebanon, its defense minister warned all militant groups ofharsh measures if they incite retaliation by firing rockets intoIsrael.
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