West Florida News

U.S. Representative Greg Steube has reintroduced the Iranian Terror Prevention Act, aiming to designate 29 Iranian-supported militias and terror groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The legislation requires the U.S. Secretary of State to classify these groups under section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It also targets any foreign entity linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Steube stated, "For far too long, Iran has employed proxy militias to carry out its terrorist agenda across the Middle East. These groups are responsible for attacking American forces, threatening our allies, and destabilizing the region. My bill directs the State Department to formally recognize the threat these groups pose and treat them as the terrorists they are."

The legislation mandates that the Secretary of State designate each group as an FTO within 90 days of its enactment. Additionally, the President must decide within 60 days whether to impose sanctions under Executive Order 13224 on these entities and their affiliates.

The proposed bill includes provisions for continuous reporting to Congress. Every 180 days, a report identifying new entities eligible for designation or sanctions must be sent to Congress by the Secretary of State. Furthermore, the President is required to provide a detailed explanation for any entities that are not sanctioned.

This act is part of a broader initiative by the Republican Study Committee to address Iran’s terror network. It emphasizes U.S. policy adjustments to confront IRGC-affiliated militias operating in multiple regions, including Iraq and Syria.

The co-sponsors of the legislation include Rep. Ben Cline, Rep. Eli Crane, Rep. Gabe Evans, Rep. Brad Finstad, Rep. Craig Goldman, Rep. Abe Hamadeh, Rep. Mike Haridopolos, Rep. Pat Harrigan, Rep. Ashley Hinson, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Rep. Mark Messmer, Rep. Gary Palmer, Rep. Derek Schmidt, Rep. Claudia Tenney, Rep. Mike Turner, Rep. Joe Wilson, and Rep. Rudy Yakym.