IRANIAN TERRORIST ACTIVITIES IN 1984

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 24, 2012
• Sequence Number: 19
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
Iranian Terrorist Activities in 1984
The Khomeini regime continued its high level of involvement
in terrorism in 1984, as part of its effort to export the Iranian
revolution and to create Iranian-style, Islamic governments
extent of Iranian-backed terrorism actually increased this year
when compared with 1983. We identified about 50 terrorist
attacks in 1983 with confirmed or suspected Ira,Qian involvement
or encouragement; so far in 1984 there have been at least 60
Iranian-sponsored attacks
uncovered. (See attached
terrorism continues to
and numerous other incidents
tables). The lethality of Iran's
outpace that of all other terrorist
actors; through September 1984 Iran and
killed at least 31, injured more than 172, and
eight.
Iranian-backed
have kidnapped
a very heavy anti-Western
focus because Western support for Tehran's enemies in the region
is seen as a major obstacle to Iran's mission. As in 1983,
France and the United States have been the major Western
targets. France has been targeted most often because it
continues to provide direct military and financial support to
Iraq. The United States has been attacked 13 times in Lebanon,
including the 20 September bombing of the US Embassy Annex in
East Beirut. The United Kingdom is the only other Western nation
attacked directly by Iranian-backed groups in 1984--four of its
diplomatic facilities in Lebanon or Iraq have been struck.
Perhaps even more alarming than these numerous anti-Western
attacks is the accumulating evidence that Iranian terrorism is
increasing in scope and effectiveness in Western Europe. More
terrorist attacks linked to Iran have occurred this year than in
previous years, and an even greater number of lethal incidents
would have occurred had not several plots been aborted by good
security--in Spain, Italy, France and the United Kingdom, for
its surrogate groups
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
example.
Lebanon
As in 1983, Lebanon remains the location of most Iranian-
backed terrorism. Iran maintains close relations with several
loosely organized groups of radical Shias who have responded with
zeal to Khomeini's revolutionary message. These extremists share
the principal objectives of undermining the Lebanese government,
forcing Israel, the United States, and Western influence in
general out of the country, and establishing a fundamentalist
Islamic state. Several of them use Islamic Jihad as a nom de
guerre or cover name to make threats or to claim credit for
attacks. We have identified the following groups as among those
which operate under the guise of Islamic Jihad:
The Hizballah (the Party of God) is the generic name
used by Iranians and their supporters to distinguish
themselves from other Shias in Lebanon.
The Council of Lebanon is a committee of senior Lebanese
and Iranian Shias, mostly clerics, which was established
in 1982 at the behest of Tehran to coordinate the
religious, political, military, and terrorist activities
of radical Lebanese Shia groups. It probably does not
however, fully control the activities of the groups
nominally under its supervision.
Islamic Amal is a Shia extremist group that seceded from
Nabih Barri's Amal organization in the summer of 1982.
It is headed by Husayn Musawi.
The Husayni Suicide Commandos is a loosely organized
subgroup of Islamic Amal. Its membership probably
consists of extremist Shias recruited for specific
terrorist missions. Abd al-Ilah Musawi, Husayn's
cousin, leads the unit.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
The Hizb al-Dawa (Islamic Call Party) of Lebanon is the
Lebanese counterpart of the Iranian-sponsored Dawa
parties in Iraq and various other Persian Gulf
countries. It is headed by the charismatic
fundamentalist Shia cleric Shaykh Muharrrnad Husayn
Fadlallah, who appears to have influence throughout the
Shia conmuni ty.
The Muslim Student Union is a religious and political
organization associated with or subordinate to the Dawa
party. It is involved mainly in indoctrination and
proselytizing and probably does not have regular
fighters.
The Jundallah (Soldiers of God) is believed to be the
military wing of the Dawa Party.
Relatively few individuals belong to these organizations--perhaps
fewer than 1,000--but they can operate effectively because they
have the sympathy of a significant segment of the Shia
population. The continuing radicalization of the Shia community
will facilitate the extremist groups' attempts to recruit
volunteers and carry out terrorist operations.
Iran began to develop close links with Lebanese Shias soon
after the Israeli invasion in June 1982. Some 800 Iranian
Revolutionary Guards were sent to Lebanon through Syria to help
recruit Hizballahi, provide political and religious
indoctrination and military training, including instruction in
terrorist tactics.
Explosives
and other support is regularly provided to local Shias, and we
believe Iranians have participated directly in some terrorist
actions, including the 20 September attack on the US Embassy
Annex.
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
The Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon are supported by the
Iranian Embassy in Damascus, which also provides general
direction to their efforts. Various Iranian operatives in both
the Foreign Ministry's Department of Investigations and Studies
and the Prime Minister's Office for Intelligence and
Investigations have traveled to Lebanon from the Damascus
embassy. The office of the Iranian Ambassador in Syria has been
directly involved in coordinating Iranian and radical Shia
activities in Lebanon. Ambassador Ali Akbar Mohtashami-Pur
played a very strong role until he was seriously injured by a
bookbomb delivered to his Damascus office in February 1984.
After his departure for medical treatment, the charge
d 'affaires, Mahmud Hashemi, picked up the coordinating role.
More recently, some competition has developed between Hashemi and
Mohammad Nourani, chief of Iran's embassy in Beirut, for primacy
in overseeing Iranian and Shia operations. The Embassy in
Lebanon, which reopened in August, increasingly supports
Hizballah activities in the Beirut area.
The activities of these officials, as well as the activities
of officials involved in terrorism elsewhere, is overseen by high
level leaders in Tehran. Ayatollah Montazeri, Khomeini's heir
apparent, Prime Minister Musavi, Assembly Speaker Rafsanjani,
Revolutionary Guard Commander Mohsen Rezai, Minister of the
Revolutionary Guards Mohsen Rafiq-Dust, and the Foreign
Ministry's Undersecretary for Political Affairs Hossein
Sheikholeslam are all implicated. Several of these men have
traveled to Damascus and even to the Balabakk area of Lebanon to
review Iranian operations. For example, in early September
Rafiq-Dust went to Revolutionary Guard camps in Lebanon and
reportedly delivered inf larrmatory, anti-Western speeches.
Throughout 1983, Iranian-sponsored operations in Lebanon
were conducted with, at a minimum, Syrian sufferance. Damascus
probably also provided more active support at times. By
permitting the movement of men and materiel through Syrian
checkpoints in the Bekaa Valley, the Syrians have facilitated
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
Hizballah activities.
Early
activities
government
apparently
Iranian
Syria's
several
in 1984, Syria's attitude towards Iranian-backed
shifted as the MNF contingents withdrew and a Lebanese
amenable to Syrian influence was created. Damascus
began to impose some constraints on Hizballah and
activities once it was clear they intended to undermine
new objective of stability in Lebanon. As a result,
violent clashes occurred between Syrian troops and
Hizballah gunmen. Nevertheless, Syria has failed to move '
decisively against Hizballah terrorists--even after the September
bombing of the US Embassy Annex--and continues to allow
Revolutionary Guards to train and indoctrinate Shias in areas
under Syrian control. Syrian leaders apparently still believe
they can manipulate the radical Shia movement to their own
advantage--as a threat to mainline Shia leaders like Nabih Berri
and as a source of continuing military pressure on the Israeli
occupation of southern Lebanon. They also are concerned that a
total crackdown would damage the overall Syrian-Iranian
relationship and jeopardize the special economic henef its--such
as high quality oil at low prices--that Syria obtains from
Iran. Damascus may also fear the Iranian-Hizballah terrorist
network as a double-edged sword that could be turned against
Syrian interests.
Persian Gulf
Moderate Arab governments in the Persian Gulf provide the
second major focus for Tehran's terrorist operations. While a
few attacks--mostly in Iraq--have occurred in the Gulf in 1984,
our major concern is Iran's potential for future trouble-
making. Iran continues to recruit and train potential terrorists
from throughout the Muslim would, but mostly from the ranks of
disaffected Shias in the Gulf. We have identified three phases
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
of training: political-religious indoctrination, basic military
or paramilitary familiarization, and specialized guerrilla and
terrorist training for a select number of recruits. Iranian
embassies throughout the Muslim world and in Western Europe help
in recruiting, and Iranian agents also operate in pro-Khomeini
student associations and Islamic centers. Here too, the Iranian
embassy in Damascus plays an important coordinating role,
arranging for the transportation of recruits to and from Iran.
Training of recruits is conducted by the Revolutionary Guard at
facilities scattered around Iran or at religious schools in the
Qom area run by Iranian clerics.
We believe the Persian Gulf states face an increasing danger
from terrorist attacks, and that Western facilities are also a
likely target--as was the case in the December 1983 bombings in
Kuwait. Iran has attempted to infiltrate trained Shias back to
their homelands this year, and some returnees and materiel are
almost certainly in place. Given the weaknesses of some local
security services and the numerous targets available, serious
terrorist attacks can occur with little or no warning.
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
Iranian-Sponsored Terrorist Attacks
January-September 1984
Targets of Attack
Nation
Numbe r
Casualties
France
21
5 killed
7 wounded
1 kidnapped
United States
4 killed
21 wounded
4 kidnapped
Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom
1 killed
1 wounded
1 kidnapped
1 killed
2 wounded
2 kidnapped
Lebanona
Iraq
Iranian exiles
I s r a e I b
International
Organizations
17 killed
110+ wounded
unknown number killed
30 or more wounded
none
none
31+ killed
172+ wounded
8 kidnapped
a These figures do not include numerous minor attacks against
Lebanese civilian targets by Iranian-backed radical Shias.
b This does not include attacks against Israeli military forces
and installations in southern Lebanon.
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
Iranian-Sponsored Terrorist Attacks
January-September 1984
Location
Lebanon
Western Europe
Iraq
Kuwait
Total
Number
48
7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
Iranian-Sponsored Terrorism in 1984
Chronology of Significant Terrorist Attacks or Incidents
13 January Lebanon: French diplomat's wife wounded by two men
on motorcycle.
17 January Lebanon: Saudi Consul Hussein Farrash kidnapped by
Hizballah elements.
18 January Lebanon: Dr. Malcolm Kerr, President of American
University in Beirut, murdered. Islamic
Jihad claims credit.
30 January Bahrain: Dawa party member arrested after arms
cache found at his home. Arms supplied
by Iran.
7 February France: General Oveisi, the Shah's former martial
law administrator, and his brother killed
in Paris. Islamic Jihad claims credit.
10 February Lebanon: Dr. Frank Regeir, American professor at
American University in Beirut, kidnapped
by Hizballah elements. Rescued on 15
April.
15 February Lebanon: Christian Joubert, French architect,
kidnapped by Hizballah elements. Rescued
on 15 April.
17 February Kuwait: Car bomb stopped at gate of a power
station.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
6 March Lebanon: Islamic Jihad claims credit for three
attacks on French facilities following
visit by Foreign Minister Cheysson to
Beirut. One Frenchman killed.
7 March Lebanon: American journalist, Jeremy Levin,
kidnapped by Hizballah elements.
16 March Lebanon: US Political Officer, William Buckley,
kidnapped by Hizballah elements.
20 March Iraq: Parcel bomb explodes in British
Council building in Baghdad.
22 March Lebanon: British Council building in Beirut
damaged by bomb.
26 March Iraq: Bomb explodes inside British Consulate.
27 March Lebanon: French cultural attache shot four times
while walking to work in Beirut.
28 March Lebanon: French officer in observer group killed
by gunmen firing from a passing car.
9 April Netherlands: Iranian officials implicated in death
threats to two judges arbitrating the
US-Iran claims case.
16 April Lebanon: French doctor in observer group wounded
by gunmen firing from a passing car.
5 May Lebanon: Soviet cultural center hit by rocket.
"Forces of the Islamic Dawn" claim
credit.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
8 May Lebanon: American Presbyterian Minister,
Benjamin Wier, kidnapped by Hizballah
elements.
9 May Iran: Hashemi Rafsanjani, Speaker of the
Iranian Assembly, repeats public threat
to conduct suicide air attacks on
shipping in the Strait of Hormuz area.
12 May Cyprus: Large car bomb explodes in front of Iraqi
Airways ticket office. Four Cypriot
civilians wounded. Mujahedin of the Dawa
Party claims credit.
18 May Italy: Two Iranian-trained operatives arrested
at Rome airport in possession of plastic
explosives. Destined for Madrid.
31 May Kuwait: Seven Iranians arrested for plotting to
bomb the Kuwait TV and radio building.
6-7 June Lebanon: Saudi embassy in Beirut attacked twice.
Islamic Jihad claims credit.
6 June Lebanon: One French observer killed, two wounded
by sniper fire from Hizballah elements.
9 June Lebanon: Two car bombs explode in Christian town
of Juniyah, killing at least two and
wounding scores. Shia driver identified.
25 June Lebanon: French embassy car blown up.
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
27 June Iran: Prime minister Khamenei publicly
threatens that Iran will hijack airliners
of other nations if Iranian aircraft
continue to be seized.
29 June India: Two Iranians arrested at Bombay airport
in possess ion of explosives and a
silenced pistol.
1 July France: Three Shias arrested as suspected
Iranian agents. Same individuals
expelled from UK in May for plotting to
kill anti-Khomeini Iranian journalist in
London.
2 July Lebanon: Bomb causes extensive damage to Beirut
office of L'Orient Le Jour newspaper.
6 July Iraq: Dawa party claims credit for car bomb
that exploded outside a recruitment
center in Baghdad, killing or wounding
several dozen civilians.
23 July Spain: Four Iranian terrorists arrested for
ploting to hijack a Saudi airliner.
Iranian embassy in Madrid involved.
31 July France: Air France flight hijacked to Iran.
Iranian government involved in planning
and carrying out hijacking.
6 August Spain: Kuwaiti businessman wounded and his
driver killed. Islamic Jihad claims
credit.
12
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
9 August Lebanon: Bomb explodes in crowded market in
Beirut, killing three and wounding at
least 20.
24 August Lebanon: British consular office in Beirut suffers
extensive damage from rocket attack.
24 August Lebanon: Saudi embassy in Beirut sacked by radical
Shias unable to obtain visas for the
Haj j.
25 August Lebanon: Large suitcase bomb defused at Beirut
airport.
Late August Saudi Arabia: Explosives found in luggage of
several Iranian pilgrims on
the Haj j .
13 September Iraq: Bomb defused outside Air France office in
Baghdad.
14 September Spain: Saudi tourist killed and his companion
wounded in Marbella. Islamic Jihad
claims credit.
16 September Cyprus: Attempted hijacking of Iraqi airliner by
three men carrying false Lebanese
passports is foiled by Iraqi security
agents.
20 September Lebanon: Truck bomb explodes in front of US
Embassy Annex in Beirut. Two US
personnel killed, 20 wounded along with
12 Lebanese killed and over 50 wounded.
Islamic Jihad claims credit.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9
29 September Lebanon: Soviet diplomat wounded by a bomb thrown
into a coffee shop near his office in
Beirut.
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/01 : CIA-RDP09-00438R000605820019-9