The United States Department of State’s annual Country Reports on Terrorism for 2023, published on December 12, 2024, provides a comprehensive assessment of global terrorism trends and the activities of state and non-state actors. The report highlights Iran’s extensive role as a state sponsor of terrorism, detailing its activities and those of its proxies across the globe.

Iran: A Persistent State Sponsor of Terrorism

Designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism since 1984, Iran continued to support terrorism globally in 2023. The report underscores Iran’s use of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) as its primary mechanism to fund, train, and equip terrorist organizations. The IRGC-QF also provides covert operational support to destabilize regions and further Iran’s strategic interests.

Regional and Global Activities

Iran’s terrorist activities extend to multiple regions:

Middle East

  1. Support for Proxies: Iran remains a critical backer of Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and other U.S.-designated Palestinian terrorist groups. It provides financial aid, weapons, training, and logistical support.
    • In Syria and Iraq, Iran bolstered groups such as Kata’ib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq. These groups used advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to attack U.S. military and diplomatic facilities over 100 times by the end of 2023.
    • In Yemen, Iran supplied the Houthis with missiles and drones, enabling attacks on shipping lanes and Israeli targets.
  2. Hezbollah’s Role: Since the end of the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, Iran has equipped Hezbollah with thousands of rockets and missiles, violating UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Hezbollah’s infrastructure now includes facilities for producing its own weaponry, significantly threatening Israel.
  3. The October 7 Hamas Attack: While no evidence suggests Iran knew of the attack beforehand, its longstanding support for Hamas enabled the assault. Following the attack, Iran’s proxies intensified their activities, further destabilizing the region.

Beyond the Middle East

  1. Terrorist Plots: Iran’s government supported plots targeting dissidents and perceived enemies abroad, including assassination attempts in the United States and Europe. For example:
    • A thwarted plot targeted an Iranian dissident in New York City.
    • A UK-based operative was convicted of gathering intelligence on Iran International, a media outlet critical of the regime.
    • Several European countries reported Iranian involvement in terrorist activities, prompting diplomatic consequences such as the recall of ambassadors.
  2. Cyberattacks: Iran extended its cyber operations, targeting Albania for hosting the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), a dissident group.
  3. Al-Qaida Connections: Senior al-Qaida leaders, including Sayf al-Adl, continued to reside in Iran, with the country serving as a transit hub for al-Qaida operatives and funds.
  4. Commercial Maritime Disruptions: Iranian forces attacked commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, including a December 23 drone strike on the tanker Chem Pluto. The Houthis, with Iranian support, seized the Galaxy Leader and held its crew hostage.

Specific Proxy Highlights

  1. Hezbollah: Iran’s financial and logistical backing of Hezbollah exceeds hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This funding supports the group’s operations in Lebanon, Syria, and beyond.
  2. Hamas and PIJ: Iran’s material and training support enabled these groups to enhance their missile capabilities in Gaza and conduct operations against Israel.
  3. Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS): Designated in 2023, KSS received sophisticated weaponry and training from the IRGC-QF.
  4. Bahrain’s Shia Groups: Iran supported militant groups such as the al-Ashtar Brigades and Saraya al-Mukhtar in Bahrain, aiming to destabilize the government.

Conclusion

The 2023 report reiterates Iran’s central role in perpetuating terrorism globally. Through its proxies and direct operations, Tehran remains committed to destabilizing regions, targeting adversaries, and furthering its geopolitical agenda. The international community continues to grapple with the extensive reach of Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism.

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