The US has again stepped up its rhetoric against Iran, accusing Tehran of being the world's 'most active' sponsor of terrorism.

Iran remained the 'most active' and the 'most significant' state sponsor of terrorism as it tries to build regional influence and drive the US from the Middle East, a US State Department report claimed Wednesday, AFP reported.

"Sudan continued to take significant steps to cooperate in the War on Terror. Cuba, Iran, and Syria, however, have not renounced terrorism or made efforts to act against foreign terrorist organizations," it added.

"Iran and Syria routinely provided safe haven, substantial resources, and guidance to terrorist organizations," alleged the report.

The report also claimed that Iran provides aid to what it called Palestinian 'terrorist' groups like Hamas, the Lebanese movement Hezbollah, 'Iraq-based militants,' and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

The report singled out 'elements' of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and accused them of being directly involved in the planning and support of terrorist acts throughout the region.

The US has long accused Iran of sponsoring the terrorism while beating the drums of waging a war against the country.

Although Tehran has repeatedly requested Washington to back his claims by evidence, the US has failed to provide any.

Observers believe as the US war on terror has faced a 'chronic failure', the Bush administration has desperately sought to scapegoat a country over the complete fiasco.

MHE/RE