Bruce Hoffman, professor of security studies, on Iran's strategy of preoccupying, but not provoking, the United States by allegedly supporting the Taliban:

"(Iran's aim) is to make sure the U.S. is tied down and preoccupied in yet another theater. From Iran's point of view, it's an historical area of interest and too good an opportunity to pass up."

U.S. Says Pakistan, Iran Helping Taliban

September 22, 2009, Los Angeles Times