In addition to the Iranian government’s nuclear program, the Iranian government’s terrorist IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) influence in the region is of concern to Gulf countries and their western allies, including the United States.
US Secretary of Defense Gen. Lloyd Austin announced at a US congressional hearing on Tuesday that the United States remains committed to countering the Iranian government’s vicious influence and it will continue its counter-terrorism operations.
Austin added that the Iranian government has challenged the stability of the Middle East and poses a threat to US forces and US partners and to the free flow of energy in the Strait of Hormuz.
Coinciding with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s congressional hearing, Gen. Mark Millie, the Joint Chief of Staff, announced on Tuesday that the Iranian government was seeking to destabilize the Middle East.
The top US military general said Thursday that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) is a terrorist organization and that he does not support removing them from Washington’s terror blacklist.
“In my personal opinion, I believe the IRGC-Quds Force to be a terrorist organization, and I do not support them being de-listed from the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list,” Gen. Mark Milley said.
Condemning Iran’s destructive and intrusive actions in the Middle East, General Milli, who also addressed the US Congress, said that Iran was pursuing its terrorist activities and continues to fund proxy terrorist groups on its neighbors’ borders.
Creating disorder and instability in the Middle East and tipping the balance of power is in its interest. Gen. Milli also added that the Iranian government is using the development of its nuclear program as pressure to escalate instability and expansionism in the region.
As part of its negotiations with Iran over the nuclear deal, the US is considering removing the terrorist IRGC from the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list.
But public backlash and recent outspoken criticism from President Joe Biden’s own political party have stalled the move.
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