April 1, 2025 – Washington, D.C.
In a significant move aimed at curbing Iran’s regional influence, a group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced H.R. 2581, known as the Iranian Terror Prevention Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Spearheaded by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) along with more than a dozen co-sponsors, the bill seeks to formally designate numerous Iran-aligned militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and impose associated sanctions.
Key Objectives of the Bill
The proposed legislation mandates that the U.S. Secretary of State, within 90 days of enactment, classify a list of 30 Iran-linked militias and groups as foreign terrorist organizations under Section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This classification would significantly restrict the groups’ global financial activities and increase international scrutiny.
Among the targeted groups are:
Fatemiyoun Brigade and Zainabiyoun Brigade — Afghan and Pakistani militias deployed by Iran to Syria.
Badr Organization, Kata’ib al-Imam Ali, Saraya al-Salam, and several other Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) widely viewed as proxies of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis — the Yemeni group heavily supported by Iran and involved in the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Additionally, the bill includes any foreign entity or organization affiliated with, owned, or controlled by the IRGC, expanding the scope of U.S. counterterrorism measures.
Sanctions Mechanism
Under Section 2(b) of the bill, the President is required—within 60 days of enactment—to assess whether to impose financial and economic sanctions on the listed organizations under Executive Order 13224, which targets entities that threaten or support terrorism.
These sanctions may include freezing assets, blocking financial transactions, and prohibiting U.S. individuals or entities from conducting business with designated groups.
Oversight and Reporting
The legislation also includes rigorous oversight provisions. The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Department of Commerce, must report to Congress every six months on any additional organizations that qualify for designation or sanctions under the law.
In parallel, the President must submit a report within 60 days of any sanction determination, explaining any decision not to impose sanctions on the listed organizations.
Geopolitical Implications
This bill reinforces the U.S. government’s longstanding opposition to Iran’s use of proxy groups across the Middle East. It also sends a clear signal of support to U.S. allies in the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, who have repeatedly raised concerns over Iran’s destabilizing activities through such militias.
The bill is currently under review by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary.
Full List of Organizations Proposed for FTO Designation
As outlined in the Iranian Terror Prevention Act (H.R. 2581), the following groups are named for designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs):
- Abu Fadl al-Abbas Brigades
- Badr Organization
- Fatemiyoun Brigade
- Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba
- Kata’ib al-Imam Ali
- Kata’ib Jund al-Imam
- Kata’ib Sayyad al Shuhada
- Sarayya al-Jihad
- Sarayya Khorasani
- Zainabiyoun Brigade
- Salah al-Din Brigade
- Turkmen Brigades
- Babylon Brigades
- Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit 80th Regiment
- Liwa Ali al-Akhbar
- Saraya al-Salam
- Talia al-Khurasani
- Liwa Usud al-Uqaydat
- Liwa al-Taftuf
- Liwa Imam Hussein
- Liwa al-Baqir
- Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds
- Usbat al-Thaireen
- Liwa al-Ghaliboun
- Liwa Khaybar
- Saray Awliya al-Dam
- Ansarallah (Houthis)
- Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya
- Liwa Abu Fadl al-Abbas
In addition to the above, the bill includes any foreign entity affiliated with, owned, or controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as subject to potential designation.
