Learning about the most recent Iranian backed terror plot targeting the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States along with multiple targets throughout South and Central America should come to no surprise. Iran has always sought measures to jeopardize U.S., Israeli, and Saudi interests. U.S. authorities should be praised for their interdiction of this activity. This was not the first nor will it be the last attempt the Iranians take to kill U.S. and our allies through terrorism.

The below are just a handful of the more significant atrocities placed on U.S. and our allies through Iranian backed terror initiatives:

1979–U.S. diplomats were taken hostage in Tehran held for more than one year

1983–Iranian supported Hezbollah detonated a VBIED killing over 241 U.S. service members in Lebanon

1984–William Buckley was taken hostage by Iranian terrorists and was later killed by the Revolutionary Guard Corp

1985–U.S. Navy Underwater Diver Robert Stethem was brutally murdered on TWA flight 727

1992–Israeli embassy in Argentina was attacked by Iranian operatives leaving more than 250 injured and 20 killed.

1995–The Amia Jewish Center was targeted with an explosive killing 85 leaving over 230 injured–Al Quds force commander Vahidi was behind the execution of the attack

1996–Iranian supported Hezbollah in Hijaz detonated a VBIED at Khobar Towers killing 19 service members.

2003–Reports that Al Qaeda was operating in Iran through protection of Al Quds forces to engage in operations throughout Iraq and Afghanistan against U.S. service members

20010–Substantial signs of Iranian infiltration into the United States were identified on the U.S. southern border–Congresswoman Sue Myrick cried for investigations with no resolve

2011–Iran threatens U.S. coastal waters through articulating its desires to send its naval vessels on patrol around North America

Evidence proves Iran’s hatred towards the United States, Israel, and its Sunni rival Saudi Arabia. U.S. politicians have known for several years that Iran has engaged in a very unique proxy war in Iraq. Such activities fuels Iraqi Shiite insurgents threatening U.S. forces with advanced shape charged IED’s yet very little has been done against the Shiite nation state.

Sanctions have been enforced on Iran due to its nuclear program yet they continue to laugh in our face. Today, the threat has become a reality on our own U.S. soil. Arrests have been made but that does not mean the threat has vanished. Iran’s behavior has a pattern–a pattern that can only change with austere corrective measures.

Kerry Patton is the Co-Founder of the National Security Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organization pending 501c (3) status. He has worked in South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, focusing on intelligence and security interviewing current and former terrorists, including members of the Taliban. He is the author of “Sociocultural Intelligence: The New Discipline of Intelligence Studies” and the children’s book “American Patriotism.” You can follow him on Facebook.