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Cruz Pushes Terror Designation for Polisario Front Amid Iran Concerns

2/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

During a February 4, 2026 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz criticized the State Department's reluctance to designate Polisario Front as a terrorist organization, arguing Iran is turning it into a proxy.
Cruz drafted legislation to designate Polisario Front as terrorist if behavior does not change.
State Department officials said they focus on Western Sahara peace and did not confirm Polisario Front as a threat to U.S. interests.

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Story summary

During a February 4, 2026 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz criticized the State Department's reluctance to designate Polisario Front as a terrorist organization, arguing Iran is turning it into a proxy.
Cruz drafted legislation to designate Polisario Front as terrorist if behavior does not change.
State Department officials said they focus on Western Sahara peace and did not confirm Polisario Front as a threat to U.S. interests.