U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and Rick Scott introduced the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026, which would require the Secretary of State to label the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization if it is found cooperating with Iranian groups already designated as terrorists, according to a March 13 announcement.
The proposed legislation aims to address concerns about national security and foreign influence in West Africa. The bill seeks to ensure that U.S. anti-terrorism sanctions can be applied against the Polisario Front if links with Iranian-backed groups are confirmed.
Cruz said, “The Iranian regime is trying to turn the Polisario Front into the Houthis of West Africa and use them to undermine the national security of the United States and our allies. The Polisario Front is working with Iranian terrorist groups, receiving drones from the IRGC, and moving weapons around the region on behalf of the Iranian regime. This bill will ensure that America’s most powerful anti-terrorism sanctions can be used to counter those threats and, once a designation is secured, the Polisario Front and its leaders will be cut off from access to the global financial system, international travel, and the resources they rely upon to conduct their terrorism.”
Cotton said, “The Polisario Front is a terrorist organization that openly supports Iran and Hezbollah. Designating these terrorists as such is long overdue.” Scott added, “The Polisario Front’s ties to adversaries like Communist China, Iran, and Russia, and its cooperation with Iranian-backed terrorists like Hezbollah must be confronted. I am proud to join Senator Cruz on the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act to ensure the United States has the tools to fully investigate these terrorists and hold those involved accountable. The United States doesn’t negotiate with terrorists. This bill makes clear that any threat to the American people and our way of life will be met with decisive action.”
According to information provided by Cruz’s past election results: In 2024 he defeated Colin Allred in Texas’ general election; in 2018 he won against Beto O’Rourke; and in 2012 he prevailed over Paul Sadler.
The legislation would initiate a process for designating the group as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) if military or intelligence cooperation between it and Iranian-affiliated groups is found. Areas under review include armed participation in military operations, weapons systems such as firearms or drones, air defense components, and intelligence support activities.
Observers note that this move could have broader implications for U.S. policy toward organizations suspected of collaborating with state-sponsored terrorism networks.
