Iran and Hezbollah

The Commission found “strong evidence that Iran facilitated the transit of al Qaeda members into and out of Afghanistan before 9/11,” and evidence suggesting that eight to ten of the fourteen Saudi muscle hijackers traveled into or out of Iran between October 2000 and February 2001. Under an arrangement it describes, Iranian border inspectors were told not to put telltale stamps in these travelers’ passports, which particularly helped Saudi members of al Qaeda. [1]

It reported some evidence that Hezbollah was closely tracking travel there, but cautioned it might be a coincidence. Its conclusion: “We have found no evidence that Iran or Hezbollah was aware of the planning for what later became the 9/11 attack.” It added, “We believe this topic requires further investigation by the U.S. government.” [1]

In Havlish v. bin Laden, Judge George Daniels entered findings in December 2011 that Iran, its leaders and Hezbollah gave material support to al Qaeda. Iran and the other defendants had been found in default after failing to answer the suit, so the findings were made on the plaintiffs’ evidence alone. [1]