In an interview with al-Jazeera Internation’s Fault Lines, former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft told the station that “of course” the United States has agents operating in Iran.

[AP.]

He added that he does not know if they are assisting the protesters in the country. Having agents in not meddling in Iranian affairs, Scowcroft implied, because “that’s a far cry from helping protesters against the combined might of the Revolutionary Guard, the militias and so on - and the [Iranian] police, who are so far completely unified.”

But he then added, “They might do. Who knows?”

Scowcroft’s statements suggests that the United States is meddling to some degree.

Obama’s first statement was quite instructive and maybe conveyed more than he wanted. Obama states that it is important that the United States not be “seen” to be meddling. Seen is the key word. So in other hands, America’s may be meddling but what is important is that it not be seen to be through, say, a statement by Obama in support of the protesters.

Of course, Obama’s statement may mean nothing at all. There may be nothing to read in it and Obama was just stating that being seen is the same is doing something even behind the veil.

Whatever the case, the United States will still be blamed by Iran for the protesters. It already has been. The regime will say anything to bring protests to an end and calling them the tools of the “Great Satan” is a favorite trick.

Statement by Scowcorft that U.S. agents maybe abetting the protesters do not help.