"Terrorist",

USA accusation to Moslems,

what's the truth?

Abdollah Bagheri1

Abstract:

Nowadays Terrorism is a specially word that is a subject for most of news in mass

media. One of the most important aspects of terrorism is definition of this word.

Terrorism is a word with this capacity that everyone can interpret it in according to

his/her benefits.

US army attacks to civilians of Pakestan and claims that they fight against

terrorism. In other word, USA terrors civilians to fight against terrorism. This

example shows the importance of the definition of the word of terrorism .for this

we should make a specific and strict definition for terrorism.

by referring to Islamic texts, it will be clear that the legislator (God) constantly

encourages his believers to respect others either to their enemy and we cannot find

any document in Islamic texts permitting terror enemies.

At first, This paper will study the definition of terrorism and explain the approach

of Islam as to terrorism and show difference between Islamic jihad and terror and

finally as a case study, we will study Islamic Republic of IRAN as a Islamic

country that was a victim of terrorism, to probe and explain reasons and causes of

terrorism in IRAN.

Key words:

Terrorism , Islam , Moslem ,Shiite fiqh.

1.PHD student of Azad university in public law, MA in Islamic studies and private law from Imam Sadiq university,lawyer.\ Abdollah.baghere@gmail.com

Introduction:

Nowadays Terrorism is a specially word that is a subject for most of news in mass

media. One of the most important aspects of terrorism is definition of this word.

Terrorism is a word with this capacity that everyone can interpret it in according to

his/her benefits.

US army attacks to civilians of Pakestan and claims that they fight against

terrorism. In other word, USA terrors civilians to fight against terrorism. This

example shows the importance of the definition of the word of terrorism .for this

we should make a specific and strict definition for terrorism.

by referring to Islamic texts, it will be clear that the legislator (God) constantly

encourages his believers to respect others either to their enemy and we can not find

any document in Islamic texts permitting terror enemies.

At first, This paper will study the definition of terrorism and explain the approach

of Islam as to terrorism and show difference between Islamic jihad and terror and

finally as a case study, we will study Islamic Republic of IRAN as a Islamic

country that was a victim of terrorism, to probe and explain reasons and causes of

terrorism in IRAN.

1- The Exact Definition of the Word “Terrorism”

Various definitions have been proposed for the word Terrorism, such as:

“Terrorism is derived from the Latin root ‘terror’ that means fear and horror. It

refers to the behaviors and activities of a group which seeks its political goals

through bludgeon and causing trepidation and horror. Also, violent and illegal

measures of the States to suppress and horrify protestors are ranked as terrorism,

namely governmental terrorism.”2

“Terrorism is defined as governmental and non-governmental actors’ activities

who attempt to accomplish their political goals through harsh tactics and means

including hijackings, hostage-takings, acts of sabotage, bombings, bank robberies,

political abductions, and assassinations. With their activities, underground

organizations typically seek to intrigue mass-media and draw public attention.

Many governments also take various forms of terrorism, such as air attacks, mass

executions, and large-scale arrests, to reach their political aims.”3

“Any kind of governmental or non-governmental violent measure seeking to

accomplish a political goal is called Terrorism. Terrorism does not resemble other

types of violence. It exerts to draw international attention towards an injustice,

either factual or chimerical. Terrorists take different tactics such as hijackings,

bombings, hostage-takings, assassinations, bank robberies, and acts of sabotage.”4

“In French, ‘terror’ literally means intimidation and scaremongering. In politics,

however, terror is referred to violent and illegal measures taken by governments to

suppress and terrify their protestors, and also contender groups’ harsh and

horrifying behaviors to achieve their political goals. Terrorism is a tactic for

governments that suppress their protesters through detention, torture, execution,

and much illegal harassment by undercover political police.”5

“Terrorism means assassination, assault, and intimidation among people to gain

political goals or to overthrow the government in order to take the helm of State or

devolution of which to a certain group. Governmental terrorism is a term indicating

the interference of one or several governments in interior or foreign affairs of

2 . Hossein Alizadeh; The Specialized Lexicon of Politics ,p. 274. 3 . Jack, C. Plino, and Roy Alton; International Relations Lexicon, research and translation by Hassan Pasta, p. 243. 4 . Jafari M. Elioth and Robert Reginald; Strategic-Political Terminology, translated by Mir-hassan Rais-zadeh Langeroudi , p. 26. 5 . Daryoush Ashouri; The Encyclopedia of Politics, p. 98.

another, in order to throw public into panic through operation or participation in

terrorist actions, or supporting military operations aiming at emasculation,

derogation, and overthrow of that government or its leading system.”6

“Idiomatically, ‘terror’ refers to a state of great consternation resulted from

violence, homicide, and massacre measures taken by a group, a party, or a

government to achieve political goals, or to obtain or maintain power. Character

assassination or mental terrorism means terrifying and menacing individuals

through demoralization and targeting their hardiness and prestige. Terror regime is

referred to a regime governing through panic development, intimidation, detention,

and assassination of its dissenters.”7

In the second clause of article 1 of the “Islamic Conference Organization”

convention, “terrorism” is defined as: “any kind of violent or threatening actions

that – despite their orientations and purposes – are taken in order to implement

criminal plots (individually or as a group) to spread panic among people; to assault

or endanger their lives, reputation, freedom, security, or rights; to imperil or

convert environment or any kind of public or personal properties; to endanger

national resources or international facilities; or to thunder stability, territorial

integrity, political unity, or the authority of independent countries.”8

2- Islamic Literature on Terrorism

2.1- The Glorious Koran and prohibition of terror

6 . Gholamreza Alibaba’ie; International Relations Lexicon, p. 63.7 . Ali Aghabakhshi; Lexicon of Politics, p. 336.8 . Jamshid Momtaz; “Terrorism and its Distinction from Liberalistic Campaigns” in Terrorism and Legitimate Defense in View of Islam and International Law, p. 44.

The term “terror” is not clearly articulated in the Glorious Koran, but there are

many verses that prohibit assassination of human beings; thus, one instance of

which is terror. Some of these verses are indicated in the following:

.1

في» فساد أو نفس بغير نفسا قتل من ه أن إسرائيل بني على كتبنا ذلك أجل من

جاءتهم ولقد جميعا اس الن أحيا ما فكأن أحياها ومن جميعا اس الن قتل ما فكأن األرض

» لمسرفون األرض في ذلك بعد منهم كثيرا إن ثم نات بالبي رسلنا “So, we assigned to Bani-isreali people that killing a human without his/her

perpetrating of murder or corruptive acts is much like as killing all the human. [On

the other hand] saving a human’s life is much like as reviving all the human. And

our prophets have brought obvious proofs for Bani-isreal; yet, many of them

infringed and trespassed on earth.”9

بالحق. » «2 إال ه الل م حر تي ال فس الن تقتلوا وال“Do not kill a human being, which is proscribed by God, unless justly.”10

According to this verse, killing a human being is not allowed, unless it is based on

justice.

تقتلوا.» 3 وال إحسانا وبالوالدين شيئا به تشركوا أال عليكم كم رب م حر ما أتل تعالوا قل

وال بطن وما منها ظهر ما الفواحش تقربوا وال اهم وإي نرزقكم نحن إمالق من أوالدكم

» تعقلون كم لعل به وصاكم ذلكم بالحق إال ه الل م حر تي ال فس الن تقتلوا“Call them and read what God has proscribed for them: avoid paganism; be

graceful to your parents; do not murder your children in fear of indigence, we will

feed you and them; avoid filthy acts, either public or hidden; and do not kill any

9 . Sura Al-ma’ida, Verse 32.10 . Sura Al-isra, Verse 33.

human being, who is dignified by God, unless based on justice. This is what God

has advised you; maybe you understand.”11

Also the term of terrorism is not clearly articulated in the mentioned verses, but

we can easily understand that one instance of verses that prohibit assassination of

human beings is prohibition of terrorism.

2.2- Prohibition of terror in prophetic tradition and impeccable imams ideology

1. Moslem-ibn-aghil refrained from assassination of Obaidollah-ibn-ziad:

Suggested by [Moslem’s] partner, it was decided that Moslem hid in the larder

behind the curtain and waited for Obaidollah to walk in. He was supposed to erupt

into the room and dispatch Obaidollah while the signal (demanding water) was

given by the partner. Obaidollah arrived and sat a while for talking. But when the

partner demanded water, Moslem didn’t come out to run the plot; the signal was

repeated, yet, no sight of Moslem. Obaidollah, who felt himself at risk, asked

Haani about what he said; and they responded that he was running a fever and was

under a delusion. However, Obaidillah left there pretty soon. Then they asked

Moslem why he hadn’t run the plot; to which he answered: “for the sake of what

Ali quoted from Muhammad; i.e. faith prevents surprise assassination.”12

It is narrated in a validated hadis that Abu-sabah-kanani told Imam Sadegh: “We

have a neighbor who insults Amiralmomenin. Do you allow any kind of action

(terror) towards him?” Imam asked if he was man enough to do that. “I swear, if

you allow me, to waylay and kill him with a sword.” Imam told him: “This is

11 . Sura Al-an’am, Verse 151.12 . Javad Mohaddesi; Muslim-ibn-aghil ,p. 25.

terror, Abu-sabah; and the Prophet has deprecated it. Certainly, Islam has

prohibited terror.”13

2.3- Shiite fiqh and prohibition of terrorTerror could be classified under the case of armed defiance in Shiite fiqh, which is

discussed in the following.

Armed defiant in view of [Islamic] jurists: anyone who draws weapon to terrify

others –either on the land or the sea, during the day or the night, in or out of the

city– is considered as an armed defiant in jurists’ view.

و “ مصر فی نهارا او لیال بحر او بر فی الناس الخافة السالح د جر من کل المحارب”غیره14 Saheb Javaher cites from sharia. Except for a narrow dissidence in locution,

many jurists have recognized this definition; e.g. Mohaqeq Ardebili in Majma-ol-

fayeda15; Mohaqeq Helli in Sharaye16; Allameh Helli in Direction of Thoughts17 and

Tabserat-ol-motoalemin18; Fakhr-ol-mohaqeqin (Allameh Helli’s son) in Izah-ol-

favayed19; Shahid-e Saani in Masalek-ol-afham20; Kashef-ol-qeta in Kashf-al-qeta21;

Ravandi in Fiqh-al-koran22; and Shahid-e Avval in Dorous23. Also Sellar in

Marasem, Qazi-ibn-barraj in Mohazzab, Ibn-hamza in Vasila, Ibn-edris in Sarayer,

and Fazel Meqdad in Riaz have discussed this issue in different words.24

13 . Osoul-e Kaafi, vol. 7, p. 375.14 . Mohammad Hassan Najafi; Javaher-ol-kalam, research by Mahmoud Al-quchani, , vol. 41, pp 563-564. 15 . Mohaghegh Ardebili; Majma-ol-fayedat-e val-borhan, research by Eshtehardi, Iraqi, and Yazdi, vol. 3, p. 286. 16 . Mohaghegh Helli; Rules of Islam on Halal and Haraam, research by Sayyed Sadegh Shirazi, vol. 4, p. 958.17 . Hemo; Direction of Thoughts, research by Fars Al-hasoun, vol. 2, p. 186.18 . Hemo; Tabserat-ol-motoallemin, research by Al-hossaini and Al-yousofi,, p. 252.19 . Fakhr-ol-mohagheghin, Ibn-ol-allamah; research by Al-kermani, Al-eshtehardi, Al-boroujerdi, and Koushanpour, vol. 4.20 . Shahid-e Saani; Masalek-al-afham.21 . Jafar Kashef-ol-qeta; Kashf-ol-qeta, vol. 2, p. 419.22 . Qotb Ravandi; Fiqh-al-koran, research by Sayyed Ahamad-al-hossaini, p. 387.23 . Shahid-e Avval; Al-dorous-ol-shar’iia, vol. 2, p. 419.24 . Najm-e-din Al-tabasi; Negation and Refrain in Islamic Ruling, pp 388-393.

In this definition, jurists have considered several conditions and components that

are indicated below due to their importance:

Unveiling the weapon: carrying a weapon does not simply prove an armed

defiance; but the weapon should be unveiled and be applied to be considered as an

armed defiance.

Location: in the definition given by jurists, no specific location has been

considered for armed defiance. Anyone who draws weapon is considered as an

armed defiant; either on the land or the sea, in or out of the city, in an Islamic or a

pagan territory.

Time: this component is not effective in the definition of armed defiance. Thus, it

doesn’t matter when the act is taking place; either during the day or the night, it

may be recognized as an armed defiance.

Intimidation purpose: drawing the weapon does not simply suffice; but the carrier

should be intended to intimidate and spread panic among people as well. So, he

may not be recognized as an armed defiant if he draws his weapon for any other

purposes.

Terrifying people: unveiling the weapon does not simply suffice to call someone

an armed defiant; but the action should be taken in front of people. Therefore, if

anyone unveils his weapon at home, in the desert, or any other place which is

hidden from people’s sight –thus, causing no horror, he may not be recognized as

an armed defiant.

Most of the jurists have indicated the term “terrifying people”, by which they mean

“terrifying anyone whose intimidation is proscribed”; it includes all the people,

even the pagan, either living in peace under the Muslim authority, or in covenant

with them. Generally, intimidation is not allowed among any individuals, parties,

or groups; unless there is a justification for it. Saheb Javaher has cited some

arguments from the Holy Book and Tradition; and has also claimed consensus on

the issue.25

Two other conditions considered in jurists definitions include “number” (one

person or more) and “gender” (male or female). These components are derived

from the phrase “ السالح یجرد .”من

Thereby, most of the jurists recognize two key and major conditions in the

definition of armed defiance. Firstly, “the weapon should be unveiled” – i.e.

drawing weapon; secondly, the person who carries the weapon “should be intended

to terrify people”. Therefore, if some people panic from a person’s acts, while that

person has no intention to terrify them, he is not an armed defiant.26 The two

mentioned conditions are both together effective in the definition. It must be

regarded that armed defiance involves significant and various crimes such as

larceny27, that does not fit in the definition of terror. Based on the aforementioned

arguments, it can be suggested that “terror” is a blatant instance of armed

defiance.28

Some others define “terror” as panic and fear, and claim that a “terrorist” is one

who draws weapon to spread panic in the society. Accordingly, in fiqh, “terror” is

idiomatically considered as a synonym to “armed defiance”. Ayatollah Hashemi

Shahroudi distinguishes between (legitimate) self-defense and territorial authority

defense. “If a usurper government arrogate a nation’s rights, and the owners have

no way to get their rights back except for a kind of armed defiance (namely fight),

it is not regarded as an armed defiance; but it is repelling corruption” he remarks.

In Islamic fiqh, “terror” is mostly discussed under the case of “armed defiance”;

because it’s major component is to spread killings and panic, and to violate

25 . Mohammad Hassan Najafi; Javaher-ol-kalam, , vol. 41, p. 564.26 . Shahid-e Saani, former, vol. 15, p. 5.27 . Allamah Helli; Direction of the Thoughts, p. 186.28 . Islam on Terror, Mir-ali, Mohammad-ali, vol. 102, pp 29-36.

innocent people’s security. In juridical system, any kind of such armed crimes is

treated as organized armed defiance, thus, “terrorism”.29

However, he mentions a point derived from Koran; that is, legitimate defense also

has a boundary, and if goes beyond that line, it becomes trespassing legitimate

defense30. As God says:

» تعتدوا وال يقاتلونكم ذين ال ه الل سبيل في 31 »وقاتلوا

Meaning that even in confronting invaders, you shouldn’t trespass legitimate

defense. Aggression is not allowed and not appreciated even towards the enemies,

unless it is to prevent attacks; even though, it should be a defensive rather than an

aggressive act.32

Hence, as discussed earlier, terror is not only prohibited in Shiite fiqh; but also

punishments have been assigned to such activities in statutory system of which.

Now that prohibition of terror has been identified in Islamic base principles and

Shiite fiqh literature; we may express insights of Imam Khomeini, the great Shiite

clergy, about terror.

2.4- Imam Khomeini and TerrorismConsidering Imam's ideology after the revolution, no such an order can be found in

his words. In fact, he condemned such an act, no matter who practiced it:

29 . Sayyed Mahmoud Hashemi; “Terrorism and Legitimate Defense in View of Islam and International Law”, p. 13.30 . idem.31 . Sura Al-baqara, Verse 190.32 . refer to: Sayyed Ebrahim Hossaini, Coercion Prohibition Principle and Exceptions in Islam and International Law, p. 185 and 205-206.

“Don’t take such acts as heroic – exploding a bomb somewhere – for a twelve-

year kid is also capable of carrying a bomb and exploding himself/herself. It

doesn’t show power, it shows weakness. In my mind, Ibn-moljam is more

courageous because he committed his inhumane act in front of people and was

damned by God; these people are not even that brave and do their acts secretively

and covertly. I regard Mr. Abbas, who killed Iran's chancellor (Amin-ol-soltan), a

courageous man cause he shot him in the vicinity of parliament among other

people, and shot himself, fearing his arrest. He is a man; those are not. Those who

escape the country and give orders to terror people secretly are not men.”33

Now that Islam's position on terror has been determined, it is necessary to explain

that if Islamic Jihad and Martyrdom-seeking ops are regarded as terrorist acts or

not?

3- The Difference Between Islamic Jihad and Terrorism

Considering the Islamic jihad, one question is raised: are Palestinian Martyrdom-

seeking ops terrorist operations?

As a response, it should be mentioned that Martyrdom-seeking ops have “absolute

defensive characteristics” following Shiite's perspective on Jihad and defensive

Jihad. To shed light on this topic, we will examine the Fatwa of a great clergyman.

In one of the questions addressed to late Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, he was asked:

“are we allowed to kill others through suicide-bombing as Palestinian suicide –

bombing ops?”

“The Palestinian case is a matter of defense, and defending yourself, your territory,

your family, and Islamic values is allowed in any forms or ways” he replied34.

33 . Imam Khomeini; Imam’s Tome, vol. 15, p. 139. 34 . www.Lankarani.org /Persian /Ahkam /new-estefta; Q 812

He has explained more on this topic somewhere else. In the second volume of

Jame-ol-masael, he states: “if a person thinks he may lose his life while defending

himself or his family, in this case defense is permitted, even necessary. However, if

defending your properties may endanger your life, it's not necessary, even it's

recommended to quit.”35

Based on Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani's writings, it can be seen that he considers the

Palestinian suicide-bombings under the general conditions necessary for defending

self or foundations of Islam, and defines it according to defense laws. For the

importance of this part of judicial Fatwa, another question and Ayatollah Fazel

Lankarani's reply will be stated in following part:

Q 294: some time ago, a Palestinian committed a suicide-bombing op in an Israeli

mall. With regard to Islamic laws, is it permitted to kill women and children

knowingly?

A 294: “If a rubber breaks into your house, he will be confronted, even though he

brought his wife and children along. To answer your question, it should be noticed

that it is the Israelis who kill Palestinian children and ruin their houses. Therefore,

according to Islam, it's essential that Palestinian soldiers fight Israeli soldiers and

civilians who support them.”36

Two major points in Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani's fatwa are prominent:

First, he prescribes suicide-bombing ops for confronting Israelis soldiers and their

active supporters in Israel's attacks, not for killing civilians, and finds it consistent

to the legitimate rights of defense.

Second, the question has been answered according to Shiite judicial argument

about “intruding rubber”. Shiite's narrations on the theme of intruding rubber and

its conditions have specific characteristics. Chapter 46 of Vasayel-o-shiia, on the

35 . Mohammad Fazel Lankarani; Jami-ol-masa’el, vol. 2, chapter: Defense, p. 481. 36 . www.Lankarani.org /Persian /Ahkam /new-estefta; Q 492

topic of Jihad with enemies, concerns this problem and relates narrations on which

many contemporary Shiite fatwas and thoughts are rooted. Based on the narrations

of this chapter, the killing of the intruding, tyrant, and armed rubber – in order to

defend your properties, territories, or self – is permissible; however, it's better to

quit fighting in case of protecting your properties.37

It has been related from Prophet Mohammad in a narration that: “A man killed in

his home is a martyr.”38

Having related and repeated this hadis from the Prophet, Imam Bagher addressed

one of his followers and asked him: “O Aba-maryam, do you know what the

concept of ‘home’ means? He said: “my lord! It means to be killed near your

family, properties or such.” Imam said: “O Aba-maryam, we know the truth

through fiqh.”39

Indeed, the abovementioned narrations state the immediacy of defense measures.

Saheb Javaher considers the defense of self, territory, and properties compatible

with religious principles, texts, and consensus, but, according to Shiite clergymen,

immediately states the observation of the hierarchy, from the easiest to the hardest

measures – from oral warning, peaceful demonstration to armed fighting – even

though he does not deem such observation necessary in case of armed robbery.40

In the eyes of Shiite clergymen, as said before, if the foundations and principles of

Islam were attacked by intruding apostates, they should be defended, like saving

your life, in any ways possible41; if infidels decide to eliminate Islam, Islamic

37 . Mohammad-ibn-Hassan Al-hor-al-ameli; Means of Shiite Towards Study of Problems of Sharia, vol. 15, pp 119-123.38 . idem, p. 139 . idem.40 . Mohammad Hassan Najafi; Javaher-ol-kalam, research by Sheykh Abbas Quchani, , vol. 41, “Al-hodoud”, p. 651.41 . idem, vol. 21, p. 47.

slogans and symbols, sharia, and the name of Mohammad (in Islamic societies),

Jihad is permissible42.

Therefore, as stated before, the martyrdom-seeking ops are based on the legitimate

right of defense; of course, it's hierarchical in which the legitimate defense through

martyrdom seeking ops is the last stage.

4- Islamic Republic of Iran as the Victim of Terrorism

United States has always claimed to be the vanguard in fighting terrorism and has

taken practical initiatives by forming an international coalition of its allies. Such

objective measures were manifested after the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001

and the proposal of preventive defense. In order to achieve such an objective, US

invaded Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001 and 2003 respectively, under the pretext of

fighting terrorism. However, according to the reports of security organizations,

while wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have reached their 7 and 9 years, thousands of

Iraqi and Afghan civilians have been the victims of terrorist acts of coalition

forces. The release of thousands of classified documents concerning the war in

Afghanistan by the wikileaks only shows a small percentage of terrorist activities

of coalition forces led by America. Yet, there are many instances of America's

support for terrorism. Supporting the terrorist acts and crimes of Israel in

massacring Palestinian and Lebanese people, killings of Pakistanis under the

pretext of fighting Al-qaida terrorist group, backing the Yemini's government in

butchering Shiites along with other major and minor measures are just few

examples of United States of America's terrorist records. These measures, taken

42 . Firahi, Davoud; lecture on: “Legitimate Defense, Terror, and Martyrdom-seeking ops in Shiite”, vol. 6, pp 109-126.

under the cover of fighting terrorism, have caused many challenges in the region.

The reverse approach of America toward fighting terrorism along with the tangled

security chaos in the Middle East has caused a state in which terrorist activities are

increasing. All of these signs along with America's refusal to admit its mistakes

and the manifestation of a new generation of terrorists indicate the failure of white

house's policies. However, instead of revising its wrong policies in the past, US

attempts to include Iran into its realm of wrong strategies by using stick policy,

deviating public's attention.

The annual reports about the Iran's support for terrorists are released while

America's acts have caused and exacerbated the influence of terrorists in the

region. The studies conducted by information and security organization suggest a

bitter truth of an increase in insecurity of the world since the beginning of the war

against terrorist on September 2011. This insecurity has many reasons but different

approaches of the west, especially America, toward dealing and defining such

concept is of importance.

Iran: A great victim of terrorism

Despite such anomalous acts, America is pointing its accusation toward Iran,

although Iran has always been the victim of terrorist activities in the world.

According to the statistics, 17 thousands Iranians43 have lost their lives in terrorist

acts since the revolution. Therefore, terror and terrorism are familiar terms for Iran

and Iranians.

Terrorist activities have commenced since the early days of revolution and

survived by daily changing of its nature. Iran has always been the target of

organized terrorist acts especially by a group known as Mujahidin; a group which

has been backed by America and western countries. This group entered the

43 . The exact number of Iranian victims of terrorism is declared as 17159 in website: www.habilian.ir

international list of terrorist groups for assassinating political and religious

characters between the years of 1360 and 1363. Mujahidin has operated hundreds

of terrorist acts in Iran during these years. Of these terrorist measures, the terror of

Mohammad Ali Rajaee and Mohammad Javad Bahonar, the then president and

prime minister, can be named; they were killed in an explosion at the prime

minister office in Shahrivar of 1360. Furthermore, this group, supported by air

force of Iraq, invaded Iran resulting in defeat; they were equipped by west for the

invasion.

In fact, America can't deny its support for this terrorist group while they were

committing terrorist acts in Iran, or even when its members fled Iran and resided in

America or Europe, or the time they stayed in Iraq under the support of America.

Also, America can't deny its support for the other terrorist groups active in

Kurdistan or Baluchistan; however, there are more documents acknowledging the

support of west, specifically America, for the terrorist group of Abdolmalek Rigi.

As said in Rigi's confessions before his execution, it was America which organized

its terrorist activities under the cover of Al-Qaida, Taliban, and other terrorist

groups to reach its long-term objectives. To prove the role of America in fully

supporting and equipping Abdolmalek Rigi, the news statesman site reports on the

behalf of an ex CIA agent: intelligence organizations of America and Britain had a

role in supporting and equipping Abdolmalek Rigi. Also, as ABS channel reported

in April, 2007, US government covertly supports the terrorist groups in

Baluchistan. However, the most important issue, on which America is accused for

committing terrorist acts against Iran, is its ongoing threats for bombarding Iran's

nuclear facilities, and the recently announced atomic attacks.44

44 .Aftab news agency, 18/6/1389

5- Conclusion

Having ignored its roots and its objective differences, the term “terrorism” has

been defined in western media as violent measures committed by individuals and

groups. By this interpretation, terrorist acts will embrace all the acts of

Palestinians, freedom – seeking fighters in all around the world who attempt to

obtain their legitimate rights and freedom for the failure of other fruitful ways; in

fact the legitimate right of defense, in unique situations with specific facilities, to

halt the enemy as the only way to resist the authority of usurpers is known as

“terror”. Martyrdom-seeking ops are instances of this kind. Thus, we should

differentiate between terrorist acts and Martyrdom-seeking operations while

defining the term “terrorism”.

Islamic republic of Iran has always been accused by superpowers to support

terrorism for its policies of defending the rights of the downtrodden people and

confronting the tyrants, but a closer look at the Iran's history shows that not only

Iran is not the supporter of terrorism but it's among the first victims of terrorist

operations.

It should also be mentioned that the first act of hijacking in the world was

committed by one of the so-called terrorism fighters, Israel, in December, 1945,

and American mercenaries throughout the world put the extensive use of

kidnapping and assassination in their agenda in order to spread panic45; as the legal

ministers and elected MPs were arrested, taken to insecure places, and tortured and

afterward announced publicly that: Sayyed Hassan Nasrollah, the secretary general

of “Hezbollah”, will be assassinated. This is the “governmental terrorism” which is

backed by countries that proclaimed to fight terrorism46.

Therefore, we should bear in mind that today most of those countries proclaiming

to fight against terrorism, in fact, are the prominent supporters of terrorism.

45. Abas-ali Amid Zanjani,Islam’s International Rights, vol. 3, p. 425.46 . Sayyed Ebrahim Hossaini; “International Terrorism in view of Islam”, vol. 125, pp 15-32.

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