Iranian regime sponsored terrorists are a threat to US, counter-terrorism chief warns

                   

The United States faces a 'broader array of threats from a greater variety of terrorist groups than at any point since 9/11', the nation's acting director at the National Counter-terrorism Center has warned.

Nicholas Rasmussen told Senate Select Intelligence Committee on Thursday that 13 years ago, al Qaeda was regarded as the top threat to the US, but now the danger also included 'lone wolves',” the Islamic State and terrorists sponsored by the Iranian regime.

Rasmussen also suggested that the renewal of sectarian warfare between Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq and Syria is was being exploited by the Iranian regime in its backing of Shiite extremist groups, which are also considered a threat against the US.

He added: "We’re far more at risk, presently, of attack from an individual home-grown violent extremist who may be inspired by, but not necessarily directed by the Islamic State."

The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) is a United States government organization responsible for national and international counterterrorism efforts.

The group brings together specialists from other federal agencies, including the CIA, the FBI, and the Department of Defense.[2]

Iran under the mullahs has been designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism since January 1984.

The U.S.’s “Country Reports on Terrorism 2013” published by bureau of counter terrorism said: “In 2013, Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism worldwide remained undiminished through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), its Ministry of Intelligence and Security, and Tehran’s ally Hizballah, which remained a significant threat to the stability of Lebanon and the broader region. “

“The U.S. government continued efforts to counter Iranian and proxy support for terrorist operations via sanctions and other legal tools.”

The same report added: ”Shia militants continued to threaten Iraqi security in 2013, and were alleged to have been responsible for numerous attacks against Mujahadin-e Khalq members that continued to reside at Camp Hurriya [Camp Liberty] near Baghdad.