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Iran's State Media: Closing the National Council of Resistance Offices in the U.S. is Not Enough - 2003-08-16

Feb 9, 2026 February 9, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Iran's state media criticized the U.S. decision to close the offices of the National Council of Resistance, arguing it does not address the underlying issues of U.S. policy towards terrorist organizations. The National Council, which opposes the Iranian government, has previously been labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. but has avoided inclusion on the terrorist list due to legal loopholes. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between the Iranian regime and U.S. foreign policy.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Iran's media argues that U.S. actions against opposition groups are insufficient, indicating ongoing tensions in U.S.-Iran relations.

👥 Key Players

National Council of Resistance MENTIONED
Opposition group to the Iranian government
"They represent a significant faction opposing the Iranian regime and have been involved in advocating for regime change."
U.S. State Department MENTIONED
U.S. government agency responsible for foreign affairs
"Their policies and designations influence international relations and the dynamics of opposition groups in Iran."
Islamic Republic of Iran MENTIONED
The current government of Iran
"They are the regime in power and are directly impacted by opposition movements and U.S. foreign policy."

📰 What Happened

Iran's state media criticized the U.S. State Department's order to close the offices of the National Council of Resistance, claiming it does not adequately address U.S. policy towards terrorism. The Iranian media argued that the U.S. is failing to differentiate between terrorist organizations.

  • The National Council of Resistance has been labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. since 1997.
  • The council has avoided being included on the U.S. terrorist list due to a legal loophole.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This situation highlights the Iranian government's concerns about opposition groups gaining legitimacy and support from the U.S.
🌍 Regional: It reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding U.S. influence and Iranian opposition.
🌐 International: The U.S. designation of terrorist groups can affect international relations and the approach of other countries towards Iran.

📚 Background

The National Council of Resistance is a coalition of Iranian opposition groups that has been active in opposing the Iranian regime for decades. The U.S. has historically labeled various Iranian groups as terrorist organizations, complicating the dynamics of opposition within Iran.

U.S.-Iran relations Terrorism and counterterrorism policies
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
Iran's state media often reflects the government's perspective and may downplay or misrepresent opposing views.

Iran's state media reports that the U.S. State Department's order to close the offices of a group opposing the Iranian religious government in the U.S. is insufficient. Radio Iran stated on Saturday that the directive labeling the National Council of Resistance as a terrorist group is a step towards correcting the policy of double standards in the fight against terrorism. The Islamic Republic's state television claimed that Washington issued such an order solely to demonstrate that it does not differentiate between terrorist organizations. In 1997, the U.S. added the People's Mojahedin Organization, the military branch of the National Council of Resistance, to its list of terrorist groups. However, due to a legal loophole, the council managed to avoid being included on this list.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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