Iranian revolution of 1979 gave rise to a wave of radical acts such as kidnappings, taking of American hostages, offering support in the Hezbollah operations in Lebanon, as well as several bombing of U.S. installations; these acts can be considered terrorism (Sick: 84). As far as the Hezbollah, it is important to note that Iran has supported their cause ever since their beginning in 1982, as a response to U.S. And Israeli foreign policy efforts. Their affiliation with the Islamic Revolution of Iran has resulted in numerous terrorist attacks during the 1980s and 1990s (Katzman: 28). These two decades saw Iran involved in supporting and sponsoring Shiite Muslim extremist groups that generated crises in the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Their effort of destabilizing local peace and security were futile because the states in question became close allies of the United States.
Today, Iran's policy regarding terrorist acts is considerably different than after the revolution that took place more than 25 years ago. Despite this apparent decrease in the number of terrorist acts, U.S. State Department still considers Iran "the most active sponsor of terrorism" (Byman: 2). Iran has abandoned the policies of hostage-taking among its neighboring countries, as well as the targeted assassinations of enemies. Its current policy consists mainly of support for radical anti-Israeli groups in Palestine (Sick: 85). On several occasions, Iran has openly encouraged anti-Israel violence; a good example consists of the conferences of anti-peace process that they have hosted.
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