State Department Designates Iranian-Linked Groups as FTOs

The State Department this week announced the designations of four Iran-aligned militant groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The groups -- Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali -- have aided Iran's military, including by planning attacks on U.S. facilities, the State Department said. "Engaging in certain transactions with them entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to counterterrorism authorities," it added.

The groups were previously sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. It updated their Specially Designated Nationals List entries on Sept. 17 to reflect their FTO labels.