Overview

Hossein Nejat is a U.S.-designated commander within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). On October 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Nejat as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for acting on behalf of the IRGC.“Designating Iran’s Morality Police and Seven Officials for Human Rights Abuses in Iran,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 22, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designating-irans-morality-police-and-seven-officials-for-human-rights-abuses-in-iran.

Nejat is a close associate of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and a veteran member of the IRGC, an Iranian government agency tasked with defending the regime against internal and external threats. In the 1980s, Nejat served as the counterintelligence chief of Khatam ol-Anbia, one of Iran’s most important headquarters during the Iran-Iraq war. Nejat has reportedly taken on a variety of roles throughout the IRGC and its partner groups, and in 2000, he served as the commander of IRGC’s Vali Amr Unit. The unit, which Nejat commanded for ten years, is reportedly Khamenei’s own special guard. While in the role, Nejat was a key figure in suppressing the 2009 election protests in Tehran.Morad Vaisibiame, “A New Appointment At IRGC May Signal Concern Over Unrest In Iran,” Radio Farda, June 21, 2020, https://en.radiofarda.com/a/a-new-appointment-at-irgc-may-signal-concern-of-unrest-in-iran/30682662.html.

Nejat went on to be a commander of the Muslim Combatants Association, which is an affiliate of the IRGC that operates throughout Iran. The IRGC continued to elevate Nejat’s profile, and in 2016, Nejat was appointed as a senior deputy to IRGC intelligence chief Hossein Taeb. Nejat stayed in the role until 2019.Morad Vaisibiame, “A New Appointment At IRGC May Signal Concern Over Unrest In Iran,” Radio Farda, June 21, 2020, https://en.radiofarda.com/a/a-new-appointment-at-irgc-may-signal-concern-of-unrest-in-iran/30682662.html.

In 2019, Nejat became the IRGC’s deputy commander for cultural affairs, a position he held until June 21, 2020, when IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami appointed Nejat as deputy commander of Sarallah. According to media sources, Sarallah is critical to Tehran’s security as the security apparatus is responsible for protecting the capital and governmental institutions against any threats such as coups or anti-government protests.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Leaders Responsible for Internet Shutdown and Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Protests,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0994; Morad Vaisibiame, “A New Appointment At IRGC May Signal Concern Over Unrest In Iran,” Radio Farda, June 21, 2020, https://en.radiofarda.com/a/a-new-appointment-at-irgc-may-signal-concern-of-unrest-in-iran/30682662.html. As the deputy head of Sarallah, Nejat and the command directly under his supervision, are tasked with quelling anti-government protests.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Leaders Responsible for Internet Shutdown and Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Protests,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0994.

In September 2022, the IRGC and the Basij—a paramilitary organization charged with channeling popular support for the Iranian regime—joined in violently suppressing protests that erupted after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in custody after being detained by Tehran’s morality police, the Guidance Patrol, earlier in the month. The Guidance Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later. In response, protests erupted across the country against Iran’s theocratic rule. On September 22, the IRGC issued a statement of support for Iranian police in combating the protests and accused protesters of sedition. At least 201 protesters were killed since the protests began after confrontations with Iranian security forces, but information has been limited due to disrupted and limited Internet access throughout the country.Arsalan Shahla, “Iran Launches Artillery Against Militants in Northern Iraq,” Bloomberg, September 24, 2022, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-24/iran-launches-artillery-against-militants-in-northern-iraq; “Exclusive: IRGC Commanders’ Families Placed in Tehran ‘Safe House,” Iran Wire, September 26, 2022, https://iranwire.com/en/iran/107958-exclusive-irgc-commanders-families-placed-in-tehran-safe-house; “IRGC will not hesitate to target origin of any anti-Iran operation wherever it may be: General,” Press TV, September 27, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/27/689915/IRGC-will-not-hesitate-target-origin-any-anti-Iran-operation-General; Caitlin McFall, “The Guardian Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later.,” Fox News, September 24, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/world/protestors-clash-revolutionary-guard-northern-iran-torch-irgc-base-reports; “Iran’s Guards Break Their Silence, Warn Protesters,” Iran International, September 22, 2022, ; Parisa Hafezi, “Iranians keep up protests over Mahsa Amini death despite mounting fatalities,” Reuters, October 12, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranians-keep-up-protests-over-mahsa-amini-death-despite-growing-death-toll-2022-10-12.

Given Nejat’s four-decade tenure working in various capacities for the IRGC, on October 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Nejat for acting on behalf of the IRGC.“Iran-related Designations and Designation Update; Non-Proliferation Designation Update; Burma-related Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20221006.