U.S. State Department designates Iranian group Jundallah as Foreign Terrorist Organization

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U.S. State Department designates Iranian group Jundallah as Foreign Terrorist Organization

2010-11-03 21:02:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday announced the designation of Jundallah, a violent extremist organization that operates primarily in the province of Sistan va Balochistan of Iran, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Designations of terrorist organizations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to abandon terrorism.

The Department of State took these actions regarding Jundallah in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.

"Since its inception in 2003, Jundallah has engaged in numerous attacks resulting in the death and maiming of scores of Iranian civilians and government officials, primarily in Iran's Sistan va Balochistan province," the State Department said, adding that the group uses a variety of terrorist tactics, including suicide bombings, ambushes, kidnappings and targeted assassinations. 

In May 2009, Jundallah attacked the crowded Shiite Amir al-Mo'menin mosque in Zahedan, destroying the mosque and killing and wounding numerous worshipers. An October 2009 bomb attack which killed more than 40 people was reportedly the deadliest terrorist attack in Iran since the 1980s. 

Following the February capture by Iranian authorities of Jundallah's ex-leader, Abdul Malik Rigi, the group selected a new leader, al-Hajj Mohammed Dhahir Baluch, and confirmed its commitment to continue its terrorist activities. 

In July, Jundallah attacked the Grand Mosque in Zahedan, killing approximately 30 and injuring hundreds.    

"The Administration condemned the Grand Mosque attack in the strongest possible terms and stated that the United States extends its sympathy to the families and loved ones of those injured and killed. The President and the Secretary called for the perpetrators of this horrific attack to be held accountable for their actions," the department added. 

The consequences of these designations include a prohibition against persons knowingly providing material support or resources to Jundallah, and the blocking of all property and interests in property of the organization that are in the U.S., or come within the U.S., or the control of U.S. persons.

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