1983 Beirut Attacks (Lebanon)
June 25, 1996: Khobar Towers Bombing (Saudi Arabia)
A truck bomb (equivalent to ~20,000 lbs TNT) destroyed the U.S. Air Force housing complex in Dhahran. It killed 19 U.S. airmen and wounded nearly 500 (including Saudis and others). U.S. federal courts ruled Iran and Hezbollah directly responsible; the IRGC provided explosives, training, and direction through Saudi Hezbollah (Hezbollah al-Hejaz). FBI Director Louis Freeh and later rulings confirmed senior Iranian officials, including possibly Supreme Leader Khamenei, authorized it.
1994 AMIA Bombing (Argentina)
Iran-directed Hezbollah suicide bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires killed 85 people (mostly Argentine Jews) and injured 300+. Argentine prosecutors and courts ruled Iran (via IRGC) planned it with Hezbollah execution.
2003–2011 Iraq Campaign
Iranian-backed Shia militias (Kataib Hezbollah, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, etc., trained/armed by IRGC-Quds Force) killed at least 603–608 U.S. troops (~1 in 6 U.S. combat deaths in Iraq) using EFPs (explosively formed penetrators), IEDs, and rockets. The Pentagon attributed this directly to Iranian support.
January 8, 2020: Iranian Missile Attack on Al-Asad Air Base (Iraq)
Iran directly fired over a dozen ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in retaliation for the Soleimani strike. It caused traumatic brain injuries to over 100 U.S. troops (no deaths, but significant injuries).
Post-October 7, 2023 Wave (Ongoing Proxy Escalation)
Iran coordinated or enabled its "Axis of Resistance":
Additional Context on the Pattern
These span 45+ years and include direct Iranian actions (e.g., 2020 missiles, 2024 strikes on Israel) plus proxy operations for "plausible deniability." U.S. designations call Iran the world's top state sponsor of terrorism since 1984. Even during lulls, the infrastructure (weapons transfers, training camps, funding) remains—enabling rapid reactivation, as seen post-Oct 7. Federal courts have held Iran liable in multiple cases (Khobar, Beirut).
This history and ongoing capability show why claims of "no imminent threat" are contradicted by the facts: Iran and its network retain the intent and means to strike U.S. forces, allies, and interests at a time of its choosing.
I have spent considerable time in Israel and was there for a few wars. I was there near Qyriat Shemona on the Lebanese border when Israel invaded to solve the terrorist problem. That was before they called themselves “The Party of God”, or Hezbollah. I saw one missile attack, but then, it was one itty bitty Katusha rocket that would have to hit you to hurt or kill you. And it caused considerable fear then. I will never forget when the Israelis moved up their tanks on flat bed trucks on the border, and invaded. It was an awesome site. Unfortunately, the liberals stopped Sharon before he could finish the job then. It would have been a lot easier.