THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION’S ○
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merican-Iranian, Manssor Arbabsiar, 56, has been charged with plotting to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States. He was reportedly the “leading active operative” of an Iranian government-sponsored group created and headed by Arbabsiar’s cousin, Abdul Reza Shahlai, a senior figure in the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Shahlai’s ‘lieutenant’ in the plot has been named as Ali Gholam Shakuri. Both men are members of the Quds Force, the oft-used operational arm of the IRGC which is a particularly feared element and has direct ties to Iranian Intelligence and the country’s senior leaders.
A
BACKGROUND TO AN INTENSE RELATIONSHIP In recent years numerous ‘spy wars’ have been played out by intelligence agencies on Iranian soil. The central objective has usually been to glean intelligence on Tehran’s nuclear bomb programme. Using disruption operations, cyber attacks, assassinations and bait to lore key scientists away from the country, Iran has been under siege of late; add to this an aggressive media campaign often inspired by carefully placed journalists and, on a diplomatic front, sanctions, then it comes as no surprise that the forces that be in Iran have decided to launch a counter-offensive.
© NUECES COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT.
Manssor Arbabsiar
Iranian plot to assassinate one of Saudi Arabia’s most revered diplomats is foiled as US intelligence and security services counter an intricate international murder plot 28 P28/29
EYE SPY INTELLIGENCE MAGAZINE 76 2011
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1/11/11, 2:52 pm