Iran's Reaction to the U.S. State Department's 'Annual Global Terrorism Report'

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed the U.S. government's report claiming Tehran's continued support for terrorism as "baseless accusations" and "unreliable," while accusing Washington of "creating, expanding, and supporting terrorist groups." According to the state news agency IRNA, Bahram Qasemi on Thursday, July 29, commented on the annual report from the U.S. State Department, stating that the report "clumsily reflects vindictive policies and the crude instrumental exploitation of any subject to pursue this erroneous and experienced policy." He also deemed the report "unreliable," describing it as "America's futile attempt to divert international public opinion from its support and role in creating, expanding, and supporting terrorist groups worldwide, especially in the Middle East." The U.S. State Department's annual report on global terrorism for 2016, published on Wednesday, July 28, stated that "Iran was ahead of all countries supporting terrorism last year." The report claims that Iran continues to strongly support anti-Israeli groups and other proxy groups that have destabilized Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. According to the U.S. State Department, Iran hires forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan to join its Shiite militia groups in Syria and Iraq, and there has been no change in Tehran's support for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Defense Minister, recently stated in a meeting with Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, that "with the help of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah's cooperation with the Palestinian Hamas movement has expanded." Just two days before the report's release, the U.S. government confirmed Iran's compliance with the Vienna nuclear agreement but warned that the country was acting against the spirit of the JCPOA by "undermining peace and stability in the region." According to IRNA, Bahram Qasemi stated that Iran, in his description, "stands at the forefront of combating the most dangerous type of terrorism in the region." Islamic Republic officials refer to Iran's military advisors in Syria and Iraq as part of the "fight against terrorism." However, reports indicate that Iranian forces are fighting in Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad's government, and Tehran has sent several Afghan and Pakistani Shiites to Syria under the banners of "Fatemiyoun Brigade" and "Zainabiyoun Brigade," in addition to its army and Revolutionary Guard forces. Mohammad Ali Shahidi, head of the Martyrs Foundation, reported in March 2017 that the number of casualties known as "Defenders of the Shrine" was 2,100. Nikki Haley, the U.S. representative to the UN, stated in April that "the role of Iran and Russia in Assad's crimes cannot be overlooked." Former U.S. President Barack Obama also held Iran and Russia responsible for the massacre of civilians in Aleppo. The U.S. State Department during Obama's presidency repeatedly condemned Iran's strong support for "terrorism."