larry johnson shows you a few lies about iran; 

 

US policymakers, particularly under the current Trump administration (as of February 2026), consistently describe Iran as the world’s leading or foremost state sponsor of terrorism. This characterization has been a cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Iran for decades, with Iran designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the U.S. State Department since January 19, 1984—the longest-standing designation on the current list (which also includes Cuba, North Korea, and Syria).

But what does the data actually show? My old office — i.e., the Coordinator for Counter Terrorism, which is now known as the Bureau of Counter Terrorism — has published an annual report on international terrorism since 1990 that was titled, Patterns of Global Terrorism… The 1990 report, which was mandated by Congress, covered incidents for 1989. Patterns of Global Terrorism was replaced by a new title, Country Reports on Terrorism… That annual report covers every year from 2004 thru 2024 (note: the 2025 report is due in April 2026).

Although the State Department’s Statistical Annexes do not provide a specific sectarian breakdown (Sunni vs. Shia vs. other) of terrorist attacks, the overwhelming dominance of Sunni extremist groups in the perpetrator data suggests that roughly 90% or more of identified terrorist attacks between 2004-2023 were carried out by groups or individuals with ties to Sunni extremist ideologies, particularly Salafi jihadism. Based on the available data from 2004-2023, approximately 85-95% of terrorist attacks in the State Department reports were carried out by Sunni extremist groups or individuals. The top perpetrator groups each year (Taliban, ISIS, Boko Haram, al-Qaeda affiliates, al-Shabaab, TTP, etc.) were all Sunni. In other words, these are groups with no affiliation or support from Iran. In fact, these groups view Shias, not just Iran, as heretics and target them...........more...........