Four Iran-backed groups on US terror list

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that four Iran-backed militias have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The four groups are Harakat al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shahada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib al-Imam Ali.

Rubio said, “These militias have carried out attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad and on bases where US and coalition forces are based. They often use front names or proxy groups to hide their involvement.”

He added that the announcements are in line with President Donald Trump’s directive to apply maximum pressure on Iran and cut off the revenue of its regional proxies.

Earlier on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on four Iranian nationals and more than 13 companies and individuals based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of using oil sales and cryptocurrencies to transfer funds to Iran’s military.

“Iranian entities have been moving billions of dollars into the international financial system through shadow banking networks that evade sanctions. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are continuing to disrupt these key financial flows that fund Iran’s weapons programs and malign activities in the Middle East and beyond,” said John Hurley, assistant secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

The Treasury Department said these networks have laundered hundreds of millions of dollars through front companies and digital assets, and have funded Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs, as well as allied groups including Hezbollah.

The US State Department announced that a 2018 waiver for Iran’s Chabahar port for Afghanistan-related projects will be revoked on September 29. This exemption was granted to facilitate trade and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. The revocation would mean that operators and investors involved would face penalties under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act.