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

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 plot 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

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

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
• Quds Force
• Iran and state-sponsored terrorism
• Unit 400
• Hassan Sayyad Khodaei
• Yazdan Mir