TEHRAN, Iran — Iran on Sunday rejected an annual U.S. State Department report that called it the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. Iran is also widely suspected of helping Houthi rebels in Yemen, although the report did not mention the alleged connection. Iran denies backing the rebels, saying it has only provided humanitarian aid to Yemen. Shiite-majority Iran is helping Iraqi and Syrian forces battle the Islamic State, a Sunni extremist group, but Tehran has defended its support for Palestinian militant groups, saying they have the right to resist Israel’s occupation. In addition to arming Hezbollah and the Assad government, Iran also provided weapons and other assistance to militants in Bahrain and remained active in supporting anti-Israel groups such as Hamas, the report said.

Source: Washington Post June 05, 2016 09:48 UTC