News In Brief

US brands Iran as backer of international terrorism

The Reagan administration formally designated Iran Monday as a country supporting international terrorism, a move that will tighten already strict export controls against Tehran.

State Department spokesman John Hughes said the decision ''was based on convincing evidence of a broad Iranian policy of furthering terrorism beyond its borders, including public statements by Iranian officials supporting those acts.''

Tehran radio reported Monday that Speaker Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told parliament, ''We consider these moves adventurous actions. If such adventures come about, then truly US interests all over the region will be endangered.''