Mohammad Reza Ansari
Mohammad Reza Ansari, (born on November 22, 1975, Iran) also known as Barkirsaghi and Mostafa Naseri, is an Iranian commander in Unit 840 within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF), a unit implicated in covert operations abroad, including planning and conducting intelligence and assassinations against Iranian dissidents and foreign nationals in the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.[1][2][3]
Operations
[edit]Under Ansari's leadership, the unit has reportedly expanded its operations across multiple regions, including the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Intelligence reports suggest that Unit 840 has played a key role in planning and executing lethal actions, often targeting individuals perceived as threats to the Iranian regime.[4] These operations align with the broader objectives of the IRGC-QF, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain due to its involvement in international terrorism and destabilization efforts.[5]
Most notable incident being his failed operation to assassinate former US officials Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, with the help of Shahram Poursafi, who is targeted by the FBI.[6] The plab was reportedly in retaliation for the killing of General Qasem Soleimani.[1][7][8] He is also identified as the mastermind behind a plot to kill UK-based journalists, leading to additional sanctions in January 2024.[9][10][11][12]
Global reach
[edit]Ansari's role within the IRGC-QF has drawn significant international scrutiny, leading to sanctions and countermeasures by Western governments. Authorities continue to monitor the activities of Unit 840 as part of broader efforts to counter Iranian state-sponsored attacks on dissidents and foreign officials.[13][3]
See also
[edit]- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
- Quds Force
- Iran and state-sponsored terrorism
- Unit 400
- Hassan Sayyad Khodaei
- Yazdan Mir
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Leaked Info Reveals Details About John Bolton Terror Plot". www.iranintl.com. 2022. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Mohammad Reza Ansari". IFMAT. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ a b "Mohammad Reza ANSARI (UK)". ISEA. 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)". UANI. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Sanctions List Search". sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Shahram Poursafi – Rewards For Justice". rewardsforjustice.net. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Treasury Designates Iranian Regime Operatives Involved in Assassination Plots in the United States and Abroad". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ Allen, Mike (2022-08-10). "Alleged Iranian plot to assassinate John Bolton also targeted Pompeo". Axios. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Iranian officials sanctioned by government after ITV News reveals plot to kill two UK journalists". 2024.
- ^ "'The Wedding': Iranian spy plot to kill two news presenters in London uncovered by double agent". 2023.
- ^ "US, UK Sanction Iran Over Plot to Kill Iran International Journalists". www.iranintl.com. 2024. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Double-Agent Reveals IRGC Plot To Kill Iran International TV Anchors". IFMAT. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "European Union Consolidated Financial Sanctions List" (PDF). EUROPEAN COMMISSION. 2020.