Hezbollah

Iran’s flagship proxy is Hezbollah.  Hezbollah is a Shiite organization established in 1982 under the instruction and guidance of Ayatollah Khomeini.  Hezbollah’s initial operatives were trained by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.  Hezbollah’s annual budget is reportedly over $1 billion and Iran is the principle financier.  Hezbollah’s stock of missiles from Iran has increased to over 50,000.  These weapons enter southern Lebanon through Syria, and then the Bekaa Valley, in violation of international law.  

Hezbollah has perhaps the largest global reach of any terrorist organization in the world.  Intelligence sources have noted that Hezbollah has sleeper cells across the Middle East and throughout Europe.  But more recently with Iranian support, Hezbollah has been increasing its presence in the Western Hemisphere: along the tri-border region of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil; in Central America; in Mexico; and potentially even within the United States.

Hamas

Similarly Iran has been sending money and operational assistance to Hamas in Gaza.  Hamas militants have received organizational training in Iran.  For years, Iran has been sending weapons by sea.  More recently, Iranian weapons are being smuggled to Gaza through the porous Egyptian border, via mile-long underground tunnels.

Al-Qaeda and Taliban

What may be even more surprising is Iranian assistance of al-Qaeda.  There has been rather extensive cooperation over the years, with hundreds of militants and even top al-Qaeda operatives—possibly even Osama bin-Laden himself—receiving safe haven inside Iran to this day.

Iranian involvement is also cited in the 9/11 Commission Report.  Iran is similarly helping the Taliban in its current efforts to fight against American troops in Afghanistan.

Quds Force in Iraq

But perhaps most distressing is Iran’s influence in advancing insurgencies against American troops in Iraq.  The Iranian Quds force, the international wing of the IRGC has been leading efforts to fight American troops in Iraq, and is the principal force undermining efforts to create stability in that country.

The U.S. Department of Defense has reported that an alarming number of Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, including roadside bombs in Iraq are found with Iranian markings.  To a large extent, the United States is actively fighting Iranian terrorists working for the Iranian regime on a daily basis.

Political Assassinations

For years Iran has assassinated disloyal government members and Iranian dissidents on foreign soil.  Numerous death warrants have been issued against those opposed to the principles of the regime.  Such a fatwa was issued personally by Ayatollah Khomeini against novelist Salman Rushdie.