Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham. Photo: Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Iran has accused the United States of sponsoring some of the world’s most barbaric terror groups, the country’s semi-official state news agency Fars reported on Tuesday. 

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham alleged that the US, “accompanied by different countries like Saudi Arabia and others, … created Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Jabhat al-Nusra, ISIS and other terrorist groups and have the record of the largest support for terrorism.”

Afkham called it “ironic” for the US and its allies to form anti-terror coalitions, yet “continue their financial and logistical support for the terrorist groups.”

She also said that America’s regional military intervention, “dual policies” and “instrumental use of terrorist groups” were the real causes of the current crisis in Syria.

Afkham also claimed that Iran is “serious and determined to fight terrorism,” because it is a victim of terrorism, according to Fars.

Afkham’s comments were reported as a response to US State Department spokesman John Kirby’s having referred to Iran’s activities in Syria, particularly its sponsorship of Hezbollah and backing of the Assad regime, as “destabilizing” and “unhelpful.”

Iran itself has been designated by the US State Department as a State Sponsor of Terrorism since 1984.