Iran's IRGC Reorganizes Foreign Operations Unit After Network Exposure
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reorganized its foreign operations unit, formerly known as Unit 840, into Unit 600. The move follows the exposure of its network and agents involved in plots against Israelis and Americans. Mojtaba Haq-Leisan has been appointed as the new head, replacing Yazdan Mir who was killed in May. The unit, established in the early 2010s, has been linked to plots against US officials and Israeli targets, reportedly using criminal groups for its missions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Iran's IRGC has reorganized its foreign operations unit, renaming it Unit 600.
- The unit's network and agents involved in plots against Israelis and Americans were previously exposed.
- Mojtaba Haq-Leisan was appointed as the new head of the reorganized unit.
- The previous head, Yazdan Mir, was killed in a May strike attributed to Israel.
- The unit has been linked to thwarted assassination plots against US officials John Bolton and Mike Pompeo.
- The IRGC unit reportedly uses international criminal groups for its overseas missions.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reorganized its clandestine unit responsible for overseas operations, renaming it Unit 600. This move follows the exposure of its operational network, command structure, and agents involved in plots against Israeli citizens, US officials, and Iranian opposition figures, according to Channel 14. The new head of the unit is 64-year-old Mojtaba Haq-Leisan, formerly the head of the organization's intelligence.
The reorganization was approved by the commander of the special forces, Ismail Qaani. The previous head, Yazdan Mir, was killed in May in a targeted strike attributed to Israel. Sources suggest the rebranding aims to conceal the compromised internal structure and continue foreign missions, while the recruitment of veterans indicates a shortage of reliable leadership after a series of assassinations and network failures.
Established in the early 2010s under the direction of former special units head Qassem Soleimani, the unit emerged from another special operations structure with ties to Hezbollah. It has systematically planned international attacks, including a thwarted assassination attempt on former US National Security Advisor John Bolton in 2022, which was overseen by Mohammad-Reza Ansari, now deputy head of Unit 600. Security forces also foiled plots against former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and two Israeli businessmen.
To carry out its missions, the IRGC unit reportedly enlists international criminal groups and drug traffickers. Attacks targeting Israeli and Jewish sites in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark have been documented, as well as plans to target independent media employees in the UK. This reorganization underscores Iran's determination to maintain its covert foreign operations channels despite ongoing intelligence pressure.
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