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 US policy toward Iran for decades, with Iran designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the US 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...





















