(AFP) President Barack Obama enacted a law to counter Iran's influence in Latin America, through a new diplomatic and political strategy to be designed by the State Department. The Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act calls for the State Department to develop a strategy within 180 days to "address Iran's growing hostile presence and activity" in the region. It also calls on the Department of Homeland Security to bolster surveillance at U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico to "prevent operatives from Iran, the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps), its Quds Force, Hizbullah or any other terrorist organization from entering the U.S." Iran has opened six new embassies in Latin American countries since 2005 - bringing the total to 11 - and 17 cultural centers. Tehran has particularly close ties with Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
2013-01-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive