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foremost state-sponsor of US-designed foreign terrorist organizations (FTO) and non-state proxy organizations opposed to US regional interests.63 In a September 13, 2011 hearing before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Matthew G. Olsen, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, added:64 “Iran is still the foremost state sponsor, and since 9/11 the regime has expanded its involvement with terrorist and insurgent groups—primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan—that target US and Israeli interests. Iran‘s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and Ministry of Intelligence and Security have been involved in the planning and execution of terrorist acts and the provision of lethal aid—such as weapons, money, and training—to these groups, particularly Lebanese Hizballah.”
On January 31, 2012, the US Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper, stated that the Iranian is becoming increasingly bolder in its support for regional proxies, namely the Syrian regime, Hezbollah, and Hamas, as well as various other burgeoning surrogates created in the wake of the Arab Spring.65 More specifically, he stated that, “In its efforts to spread its influence externally, Iran continues to support proxies and surrogates abroad, and it has sought to exploit the Arab Spring but has reaped limited benefits, thus far. Its biggest regional concern is Syria because regime change would be a major strategic loss for Tehran. In Iraq, it probably will continue efforts to strengthen ties to Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government. In Afghanistan, Iran is attempting to undermine any strategic partnership between the United States and Afghanistan.” 66
In addition to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran has supplied and trained a number of non-state clients across the region, including Shi’ite militias in Iraq, Afghan insurgents, Hamas in Gaza, and possibly to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. These groups, while weak in comparison to larger conventional forces, provide Iran with the ability to undermine regional governments allied with the US and the West, and, as in the case of Iraq, to harass US forces in active warzones. Iranian proxies (Shi’ite militias and Hezbollah, respectively) continue to undermine the consolidation of potentially pro-Western governments in Iraq and Lebanon, and have allowed Iran to impact their local politics and foreign policy orientations. As such, Iran’s proxies are an effective asymmetric tool for Iran to undermine US regional influence while maximizing its own. Iran’s asymmetric efforts have spread beyond the region. In late 2011 an Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the US, Adel al-Jubeir came to light. Additionally, commander of Iran’s navy, Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, announced Iran’s intention to “establish a strong presence near U.S. marine borders” by sending warships to the east coast of the US. 67 63
“Are We Safer?” Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. September 13, 2011 http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20110913_testimonies_olsen.pdf “Are We Safer?” Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. September 13, 2011 http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20110913_testimonies_olsen.pdf 64
James R. Clapper. Unclassified Statement for the Record on the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. January 31, 2012. http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20120131_testimony_ata.pdf 65
James R. Clapper. Unclassified Statement for the Record on the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. January 31, 2012. http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20120131_testimony_ata.pdf 66
“Iranian plot to kill Saudi ambassador thwarted, U.S. officials say.” CNN. October 11, 2011. http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-11/justice/justice_iran-saudi-plot_1_informant-iranian-plot-saudiarabia?_s=PM:JUSTICE 67
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