The U.S. State Department calls Iran the world’s “most active” state sponsor of terrorism because of its efforts to build regional influence, Agence France Press reports. The entire report, “Country Reports on Terrorism 2007,” can be found on the State Department’s website.
Iran builds regional influence by funding Hizbullah and Hamas. Hizbullah already has an Iranian arsenal designed for war with Israel. Hamas, however, is a more difficult client to arm, on account of the Israeli closure of the Gaza Strip.
Iran now understands that Egypt, which neighbors Gaza, holds the key to arming Hamas. Accordingly, Iran is lobbying Egypt to ease restrictions. I have documented some of these efforts in a piece that appeared today in National Review Online.
