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Iran 'leading terrorism sponsor' Iran 'leading terrorism sponsor'
(about 5 hours later)
Iran remains the "most active state sponsor of terrorism" in the world, a report by the US state department says.Iran remains the "most active state sponsor of terrorism" in the world, a report by the US state department says.
It says Iran's role in the planning and financing of terror-related activities in the Middle East and Afghanistan threatens efforts to promote peace.It says Iran's role in the planning and financing of terror-related activities in the Middle East and Afghanistan threatens efforts to promote peace.
Al-Qaeda, however, remains the biggest danger to the US and the West, the annual report states. Al-Qaeda remains the biggest danger to the US and the West, the annual report states, noting that terror attacks are rising in Pakistan.
It says that while the number of terror attack around the world is dropping, they are on the increase in Pakistan. Iran rejected the report, saying the US was guilty of double standards.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the US had no right to accuse others after in light of its actions at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.
'Existential threat''Existential threat'
The new US administration may be trying to engage Tehran, but, just like last year, Iran is still described as the most active state sponsor of terrorism. The BBC's state department correspondent, Kim Ghattas, says the new US administration may be trying to engage Tehran, but, just like last year, Iran is still described as the most active state sponsor of terrorism.
President Barack Obama has offered to "extend a hand" to Iran The report singles out the Quds unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard
The report charges that Iran's involvement in countries like Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Palestinian territories threatens efforts to promote peace, economic stability in the Gulf and democracy.The report charges that Iran's involvement in countries like Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Palestinian territories threatens efforts to promote peace, economic stability in the Gulf and democracy.
The report singles out the Quds force, an elite branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guard as the channel through which Iran support terrorist activities and groups abroad.The report singles out the Quds force, an elite branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guard as the channel through which Iran support terrorist activities and groups abroad.
The report also takes to task Syria, an Iranian ally in the region.The report also takes to task Syria, an Iranian ally in the region.
Of equal concern, is the advance of al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan where terrorist attacks are on sharply on the rise while the rest of the world, including Iraq, has seen terrorist attacks decrease. Of equal concern, our correspondent notes, is the advance of al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan where terrorist attacks are on sharply on the rise while the rest of the world, including Iraq, has seen terrorist attacks decrease.
Washington is worried that the government in Islamabad might collapse, and last week US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Taleban fighters posed an existential threat to Pakistan, which is a nuclear power.Washington is worried that the government in Islamabad might collapse, and last week US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Taleban fighters posed an existential threat to Pakistan, which is a nuclear power.