A U.S. House bill seeking formal scrutiny of the Polisario Front’s links to Iran and Hezbollah has gained a new Democratic backer, widening bipartisan support for an effort that could expose the separatist movement to terrorism-related sanctions.
Representative Marc Veasey, a Democrat from Texas, joined the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act on May 29, becoming the 14th lawmaker to support the measure, Le Desk reported.
The bill was introduced in June 2025 by Republican Joe Wilson of South Carolina with Democratic co-sponsor Jimmy Panetta of California.
The measure does not immediately classify the Polisario as a foreign terrorist organization. Instead, it would require the U.S. secretary of state to submit, within 180 days of enactment, a report on the group’s leadership, military operations, foreign sponsorship and alleged ties to Iran, Russia, Hezbollah, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the PKK.
The bill would also require the State Department and Treasury Department, within 90 days, to determine whether the Polisario meets the legal criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization, sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act or measures under U.S. counterterrorism sanctions authorities.
Its findings cite alleged cooperation between the Polisario and Iran-linked actors, including claims of Hezbollah training in the Tindouf camps, Iranian-type munitions and drone-related training. These allegations are central to the bill’s argument, but would still require formal U.S. government assessment before any designation or sanctions could be imposed.
The bill also includes a waiver clause allowing the president to suspend designations or sanctions if the Polisario is judged to be negotiating in good faith on the basis of Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
A parallel Senate bill introduced by Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton and Rick Scott would require the secretary of state to designate the Polisario if cooperation with Iranian-affiliated terrorist organizations is confirmed. Senator David McCormick later joined the Senate measure.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.