Iran assassination plot: Four attacks that have been blamed on Iran

For years, US officials have described Iran as the “most active” state sponsor of terror in the world. Here’s a list of major terror attacks blamed on Iran in the past four decades.

2. US Embassy in Beirut, 1983

Reuters/File
A bulldozer demolishes the bombed out building of the American embassy in Beirut in 1983.

A suicide truck bomb in April 1983 destroyed the US Embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people – among them eight of the CIA’s top Middle East analysts. Hezbollah operatives supported by Iran and Syria were believed to have been responsible for the attack.

Another suicide truck bomb the following October targeted the US Marines headquarters at the Beirut airport, killing 241 Americans. Twenty seconds later – in what was clearly a well-coordinated attack – another suicide truck bomb killed 74 at the French Army barracks in Beirut. The culprits were never identified; Hezbollah denied any role, though a caller to a Western news organization claimed that “Islamic Jihad” made the attack.

2 of 4
You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us