According to a highly redacted CIA intelligence report from January 31, 1997, “Circa 1991, Sudanese National Islamic Front (NIF) [redacted] and Iran had common anti-imperialist objectives and, as such, should coordinate their activities. [Redacted] Shia and Sunni Islamists might effectively coordinate their activities and form a tripartite front against their common enemies. The front would consist of the NIF, Iran, and Usama (Bin Ladin)’s Islamic Army [al Qaeda]. [Redacted] Eventually an agreement was reached to collaborate politically and militarily. The primary goal of this collaboration was to confront Israel and the United States, while the secondary goal was to undermine Arab regimes which supported Israel and the United States. [Redacted] After the agreement was reached, [redacted] experience from Hizballah and Iran should be transferred to new nations/extremist groups who lack this expertise. This would then allow Islamic Army members to gain the necessary experience in terrorist operations.”
– CIA, “Terrorism: Establishment of a Tripartite Agreement Among Usama Bin Ladin, Iran, and the NIF,” (CIA Intelligence Report), The Central Intelligence Agency’s 9/11 File:, The National Security Archive, Jan. 31, 1997