Afkhami: U.S. State Department Report on Iran's Support for Terrorism is Invalid

Marzieh Afkhami, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, rejected the U.S. State Department's annual report regarding Iran's role in supporting terrorism in the region on Saturday, June 30. According to the Central News Unit, the spokesperson deemed the U.S. report on terrorism concerning Iran as completely invalid. She stated: 'The free presence and activity of terrorists in the U.S. and other supporting countries, the lack of serious and decisive action against terrorist and extremist groups, and the overlooking of Zionist crimes against the Palestinian people have seriously challenged the U.S. claim of fighting terrorism and rendered such reports completely unreliable.' Ms. Afkhami added: 'Iran has been the biggest victim of terrorism over the past three decades, and accusing a country that prioritizes international cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism, and violence is a diversion. The publication of such reports does not align with current realities.' The U.S. State Department, in its latest report on the state of terrorism worldwide, reiterated that Iran continued to support terrorism across the Middle East in 2014. The report specified: 'Iran continues to support terrorist groups worldwide through its main arm, the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, several Iraqi Shiite militia groups, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.' The U.S. State Department also stated: 'Iran has attempted to smuggle weapons to Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza.' Iran has been on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1984. The report further adds: 'While Iran has focused all its efforts on achieving its goals in the Middle East, especially Syria, this country and its supported groups continue their efforts to increase influence in regions such as Africa, Asia, and to a lesser extent, Latin America.' The U.S. State Department also accused the Quds Force of implementing Iran's foreign policy objectives, providing cover for intelligence operations, and creating instability in the Middle East. The report also mentions the increase in violent attacks in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. The figures and statistics in the U.S. State Department's annual report on global terrorism indicate that in 2014, about 33,000 people were killed as a result of 13,500 terrorist attacks worldwide.