AFP , April 30, 2008 - Iran remained the world's 'most active' state sponsor of terrorism as it tries to build regional influence and drive the United States from the Middle East, a US government report said Wednesday.
'Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism,' according to the US State Department annual report which also called it the 'most significant' state sponsor.
It said non-Arab Iran provides aid to Palestinian 'terrorist' groups like Hamas, the Lebanese movement Hezbollah, 'Iraq-based militants,' and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, the report said.
Iran aided such groups to advance their 'common regional goals,' according to the 2007 'Country Reports on Terrorism.'
The report singled out 'elements' of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as being directly involved in the planning and support of terrorist acts throughout the region.
'A critically important element of Iranian national security strategy is its ability to conduct terrorist operations abroad,' the report said.
It said Iran is a threat both to regional stability and US interests in the region because it backs groups that reject the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and 'undercut the democratic process in Lebanon,' it said.
In Lebanon, the goal is 'to build Iran's and Hezbollah's influence to the detriment of other Lebanese communities,' it added.
'Without state sponsors, terrorist groups would have greater difficulty obtaining the funds, weapons, materials, and secure areas they require to plan and conduct operations,' the report said.
'More worrisome is that some of these countries also have the capability to manufacture weapons of mass destruction that could get into the hands of terrorists,' it added.
'Iran and Syria routinely provided safe haven, substantial resources, and guidance to terrorist organizations,' it said.
The State Department 2006 report also listed Iran, Syria, Cuba, North Korea and Sudan as state sponsors of terrorism.