Overview
Sayyed Yaser Musavir is a Specially Designated National by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and a senior official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ elite Quds Force (IRGC-QF), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for Iran’s proxy conflicts in the Middle East. The IRGC-QF has played an active role in providing training and weapons to extremist groups including Iraqi insurgents, Lebanese Hezbollah, and others.“Treasury Designates Vast Network of IRGC-QF Officials and Front Companies in Iraq, Iran,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm957.
It is reported that Musavir was deployed to Iraq sometime in 2014 to support the IRGC-QF and its operations with Iraqi militia officials associated with the terrorist militia groups Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH). In 2018, on behalf of senior IRGC-QF officials, Musavir coordinated and promoted various propaganda efforts undertaken by AAH. AAH’s propaganda methods have previously included setting up social service programs and religious schools called the “Seal of the Apostles,” throughout Iraq. These schools and social service programs served as recruitment facilities and indoctrination tactics.Liz Sly, “Iranian-backed militant group in Iraq is recasting itself as a political player,” Washington Post, February 18, 2013, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iranian-backed-militant-group-in-iraq-is-recasting-itself-as-a-political-player/2013/02/18/b0154204-77bb-11e2-b102-948929030e64_story.html. Furthermore, in 2019, Musavir was behind the coordination of selling Iranian petroleum products to the Syrian regime.“Treasury Designates Vast Network of IRGC-QF Officials and Front Companies in Iraq, Iran,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm957.
On March 26, 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Musavir as a specially designated national for providing support to or acting on behalf of the IRGC-QF.“Treasury Designates Vast Network of IRGC-QF Officials and Front Companies in Iraq, Iran,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm957.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Military, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, Khomeinist, Shiite, state actor
- Position(s):
- Official
The IRGC is an Iranian government agency tasked with defending the regime against internal and external threats. The IRGC uses secret police methods against its opponents within Iran, and terrorist tactics against its enemies abroad.
History
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Sayyed Yaser Musavir as a Specially Designated National on March 26, 2020.“Treasury Designates Vast Network of IRGC-QF Officials and Front Companies in Iraq, Iran,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 26, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm957.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On May 8, 2019, Taliban insurgents detonated an explosive-laden vehicle and then broke into American NGO Counterpart International’s offices in Kabul. At least seven people were killed and 24 were injured.