Reid Smith has expressed skepticism over the plausiblity of the Iranian plot to launch attacks against the United States. John Tabin has taken Smith to task for relying on the likes of Hillary Mann Leverett to support his arguments. Smith responds by citing other Iran “experts” like Gary Sick and Stephen Walt much to the dismay of Tabin.

Although there’s nothing wrong with a healthy dose of skepticism, I’m with Tabin on this one. I would be strongly disinclined to rely on the word of Sick and Walt. Let us remember that it was Sick who advanced the discredited conspiracy theory that the Reagan-Bush campaign was in kahootz with the Khomeini regime to keep the American hostages in Iran until they were sworn into office. As for Walt, well, he doesn’t think Iran poses any threat to the United States whatsoever. So it should not come as any surprise that he wouldn’t put much stock into this plot.

I understand Smith’s skepticism but such skepticism should be based on hard evidence, not on the words of those who have an axe to grind against the United States or act as apologists for the Iranian regime.