According to critics of the Bush administration, this simply isn't possible; a radical Sunni terrorist group having an operational relationship with a radical Shia regime? Don't those stupid Bushies know anything? Sunnis and Shias will never, ever, ever work together. It's impossible.

Oh, really?

New York Post:

ran and al Qaeda's core leadership under Ayman al Zawahiri have established an operational relationship amid fears the terror group is planning an attack against the West.

There are concerns such an attack, possibly targeting the London Olympics later this year, would be in revenge for the killing of Osama bin Laden by the US last year.

Intelligence sources said Iran has been supplying al Qaeda with training in the use of advanced explosives, "some funding and a safe haven" as part of a deal first worked out in 2009 which has now led to "operational capacity."

The US is so concerned about the close relationship that late last year it issued a $10 million reward for information leading to the whereabouts of a Syrian al Qaeda leader in Iran, Ezedin Abdel Aziz Khalil, better known as Yasin al Suri.

The reward offered for Suri, 30, puts him on the same level as Mullah Omar, the leader of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Only Zawahiri, who replaced bin Laden, has a higher price on his head.

Sources said Iran has reacted to the publication of Suri's name by taking him into "protective custody."

"If someone got hold of him, he would have the most incredible amount of intelligence and so it makes sense to make sure that he is protected," said a source.

But Suri has been swiftly replaced -- a sign that the al Qaeda relationship with Iran is of great mutual importance.