Bolton: Iran is the 'Central Bank of the World for International Terrorism'

The U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton, stated on Thursday, October 4, that Iran has been the 'Central Bank of the World for International Terrorism' since the 1979 revolution. While outlining the 'National Strategy to Combat Terrorism,' he remarked that 'extremist Islamist terrorist groups are the most significant transnational threat to the U.S. and its foreign interests.' Referring to this strategy, which also focuses on Iran, he noted that the United States faces threats from Iran, which he believes is the 'Central Bank of the World for International Terrorism.' In recent years, the U.S. State Department has consistently referred to Iran as 'the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world' in its annual reports. In the State Department's report for 2017, published on September 19 this year, the U.S. stated that Iran and its proxy groups are responsible for fueling violence in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. According to the 48-page report on 'Iran's Malign Activities,' Iranian fighters and militias supported by the Islamic Republic, such as Hezbollah, have emerged from the Syrian war with greater confidence and valuable combat experience that they intend to use elsewhere. In another part of his remarks on Thursday, Bolton referred to U.S. sanctions, particularly from November 5 of this year, stating that the goal is to make no exceptions for other countries in purchasing oil from Iran, potentially bringing Tehran's oil sales to zero. On May 8 of this year, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear agreement known as the 'JCPOA' with Iran and reinstated the first round of suspended sanctions against Tehran in mid-August. The second round of sanctions, targeting Iran's oil industry, is set to take effect on November 5. Some Asian countries that are major buyers of Iranian oil have recently cut or significantly reduced their oil purchases from Tehran. Bolton stated that the U.S. goal is 'to have no exceptions to sanctions against Iranian oil and gas exports, effectively bringing its oil exports to zero.' He added, 'I am not saying that we will necessarily achieve this goal, but no one should be under any illusions about it.' The U.S. National Security Advisor emphasized, 'You can consider the possibility of reducing to zero, although it may not happen immediately.' On October 26, Trump warned countries around the world that they must either comply with U.S. sanctions against Tehran or face 'severe consequences.' He noted that since the agreement was made in 2015, it has only intensified Iran's aggressive posture. This regime has used the new resources from the JCPOA to support terrorism, develop a missile program capable of carrying nuclear warheads, and incite chaos.