2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

IRAN
Memorandum of Understanding that pledged joint efforts to stem the flow of weapons to Hamas
and other terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The agreement calls for enhanced international sanctions
and enforcement mechanisms against those states, such as Iran, that are determined to supply
weapons and explosives to Gaza. In the aftermath of the November 2012 fighting in Gaza, the
United States renewed its pledge to work with Israel to disrupt Iranian arms shipments.
Iranian Terrorism Around the World
Beyond the Middle East, Iran has established a wide network of terrorists and has carried out attacks
targeting Israeli and Jewish targets. In the early 1990s, Iranian-backed terrorists carried out bombings
at the Israeli embassy and the Argentine-Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires
that killed 114 people. Iran and its terrorist proxy Hizballah are suspected in carrying out a July 18,
2012, attack on a group of Israeli tourists that had just arrived in Bulgaria, resulting in the deaths
of five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver. Multiple other terror plots were disrupted in 2012,
including attacks planned in India, Thailand and Azerbaijan. Iran has also expanded its influence and
promoted bloodshed by exporting arms to multiple African countries and to rebels in Yemen.
Iran Supports Syrian Crackdown
Iran and Syria have long maintained close relations and worked together to supply arms to
Hizballah in Lebanon. Since the outbreak of violence in Syria began in the spring of 2011, Iran
has provided arms, training, and personnel to support the regime of President Bashar Assad. The
IRGC-led efforts have
involved regular flights
between Tehran and
Damascus, resulting in
U.S. sanctions against three
Iranian airlines, Iran Air,
Mahan Air and YasAir.
The United States has
pressed Iran and Syria’s
neighbors, especially
Turkey and Iraq, to closely
inspect all flights destined
for Syria and suspected of
carrying illicit cargos.
Iranian-backed Hizballah is suspected in a July 2012 bus bombing targeting
Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. Six people were killed in the attack.
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