In a briefing on April 26, Ms. Rice did not detail Iranian involvement
in Assad's killing of more than 500 protesters. Many of them were killed in
main battle tank fire by the Syrian Army, run by Assad's brother and
brother-in-law.
"Instead of listening to their own people, President Assad is
disingenuously blaming outsiders while at the same time seeking Iranian
assistance in repressing Syria's citizens through the same brutal tactics
that have been used by the Iranian regime," Ms. Rice said.
On April 29, the White House imposed sanctions on IRGC for alleged help
to the Assad regime in trying to quell the revolt. But the White House did
not elaborate except to say that IRGC's Quds Force was working with Syrian
General Intelligence.
"Iran is providing material support to the Syrian government related to
cracking down on unrest in Syria," the White House said. "The conduit for
this Iranian material support to the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate
is the IRGC-QF."
Officials confirmed reports by the opposition that Hizbullah was also
helping support the Syrian Army and security forces to battle the
protesters. They said Hizbullah provided manpower as well as equipment to
the Assad regime.
"The Iranians are helping Assad but they are also hedging their bets and
are in contact with the opposition as well," an official said. "IRGC is in
contact with the Muslim Brotherhood."