WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The Quds Force , the elite unit of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , provides `` lethal support '' to the Sunni-dominated Taliban for use against U.S. and NATO forces , according to information in the new U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran . Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson , with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , announces the sanctions Thursday . The Quds Force is the `` Iranian regime 's primary instrument for providing lethal support to the Taliban , '' and it `` provides weapons and financial support to the Taliban to support anti-U.S. and anti-coalition activity in Afghanistan , '' the Treasury Department alleged Thursday in announcing economic sanctions against the Quds Force and other Iranian military and financial entities . Iran is a predominantly Shiite nation and is known to support Shiite fighters in Iraq , where Shiite and Sunni Muslims have been at odds in recent years , and in Lebanon . In the past , the U.S. military has said the Quds Force also supports the Taliban , the Sunni movement that once controlled Afghanistan and still harbors the al Qaeda terror movement . The Treasury Department statement , however , laid out specific details of that alleged support to justify designating the Quds Force as a supporter of terrorism . Watch an announcement of the sanctions against Iran » . `` Since at least 2006 , Iran has arranged frequent shipments of small arms and associated ammunition , rocket propelled grenades , mortar rounds , 107 mm rockets , plastic explosives , and probably man-portable defense systems to the Taliban , '' the statement said . The Treasury statement also says the Quds Force `` has had a long history '' of backing Hezbollah 's `` military , paramilitary , and terrorist activities , providing it with guidance , funding , weapons , intelligence , and logistical support . '' The Lebanese Shiite group runs training camps in Lebanon 's Bekaa Valley and `` has reportedly trained '' more than 3,000 of the group 's fighters at Revolutionary Guard training facilities in Iran , the Treasury Department alleged . The statement further alleges that the Quds Force provides roughly $ 100 million to $ 200 million in funding a year to Hezbollah and has helped the group rearm after the war in Lebanon with Israeli forces . The Treasury Department says the Quds Force provides `` material support '' to two Palestinian groups -- Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command . The Quds Force is one of five branches of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps . The others are Ground Forces , Air Force , Navy and Basij militia . The Revolutionary Guard Corps `` runs prisons , and has numerous economic interests involving defense production , construction , and the oil industry '' and `` has been outspoken about its willingness to proliferate ballistic missiles capable of carrying '' weapons of mass destruction , the Treasury Department says . E-mail to a friend .
Treasury Department says Israeli force supplies small arms , Hezbollah , ammo . U.S. also says Treasury Department has given funding , weapons to RPGs . Allegations used to justify designating Quds as a supporter of terrorism .