Global terrorism deaths decreased 27% in 2017

The report said IS alone carried out 23 percent fewer terrorist attacks and caused 53 percent fewer total deaths, compared with 2016.

US State Department on Thursday has issued its annual Country Reports on Terrorism for the year 2017.

The number of worldwide terrorist attacks dropped by 23 percent a year ago compared with 2016, according to the report, a change largely due to gains against the Islamic State group in Iraq.

The Iranian government maintains a robust offensive cyberprogram and has sponsored cyberattacks against foreign government and private sector entities, the State Department report said.

Fifty-nine percent of all attacks took place in five countries (Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Pakistan, and the Philippines), and 70 percent of all deaths due to terrorist attacks took place in five countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria), it concluded.

Hoping to protect their interests, the Europeans have proposed hammering out a supplementary deal with Tehran covering its ballistic missile program as well as its interventions in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

In addition, the survey reported a 24 percent decrease in attacks around the world between 2016 and 2017.

"We worked with allies and partners around the world to expand information sharing, improve aviation security, enhance law enforcement and rule of law capacities, and to counter terrorist radicalisation with a focus on preventing recruitment and recidivism", Mr Sales said.

Despite the drop in attacks, the report described the terrorist landscape as "more complex" and said the terrorist threat to the USA and allies around the world had "evolved". "ISIS, Al Qaeda, and their affiliates have proven to be resilient, determined, and adaptable", Mr Sales added.

The US State Department released an annual report on Wednesday confirming that "Iran remains the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism".

An annual survey on global terrorism, released by the State Department on September 19, said Iran and its proxies are responsible for intensifying multiple conflicts and undermining US interests in the region. He cited Iran-linked fundraising networks in West Africa, weapons caches in South America and operational activity in Europe.

The report accuses North Korea of repeatedly providing support for acts of worldwide terrorism, citing its abductions of Japanese nationals.

"That is why we are continuing to keep the pressure on Al Qaeda, its affiliates, and its individuals".