IRANIAN INVOLVEMENT WITH TERRORISM IN LEBANON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87T00434R000300240059-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2010
• Sequence Number: 59
• Publication Date: June 26, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director for Intelligence
FROM: DDI Working Group on TWA Hijacking
SUBJECT: Iranian Involvement With Terrorism in Lebanon
.The Iranian Government is now trying to exploit the hostage
situation, even though it does not appear to have been involved in
planning or carrying out the hijacking. An overwhelming body of
evidence, however, has implicated Iran in the Hizballah campaign
of violence against Americans and other Westerners in Lebanon
during the past two years. Iran provides substantial material and
political support to the Lebanese radical Shias, but it does not
control or have advance knowledge of all of their operations.
Senior Iranian clerics and Foreign Ministry officials are involved
in supporting terrorism in Lebanon.
Iran and the TWA Hijacking
Iranian officials are now clearly encouraging the Hizballah to
prolong the hostage situation, but we do not believe that Iran was
involved in planning or carrying out the TWA hijacking
Available evidence still suggests that the original hijackers
were part of a small group of disgruntled Shias.from southern
Lebanon acting more or less independently of any larger
organization or government. The Greek interrogation of the third
hijacker and the general behavior and demands of the original team
tend to support this conclusion.
Iranian officials became involved, however, after Hizballah
elements seized a small number of the Americans during
second stop at Beirut airport.
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Iran and the Hizballah
The Iranian Government maintains an intimate relationship with
the Lebanese Shia fundamentalist groups that comprise the
Hizballah network. Iran has greatly strengthened the Hizballah
during the past two years by providing money, weapons, logistical
support, training, and political and religious indoctrination.
The Iranian Ambassador in Damascus. and the Revolutionary Guard
Commander in the Bekaa Valley work closely with the Council of
Lebanon, the Iranian-created committee of Lebanese radical Shia
leaders that tries to coordinate all fundamentalist activities in
Lebanon.
Hizballah leaders have also worked in collusion with Iran on
some terrorist operations. The Revolutionary Guards based in the
Bekaa Valley are often colocated with Hizballah elements and share
the same communications and support network.
Despite Iranian efforts, however, the Hizballah remains
largely a domestic Lebanese political movement with its own
political agenda. While Iranian assistance may have been critical
in 1982 and 1983, the Hizballah movement does not depend on Iran
for its existence. Shia fundamentalism, whetted by decades of of
Shia deprivation and a brutal Israeli occupation, has firmly taken
root in Lebanon and has achieved a momentum of its own. Hizballah
elements can and often do conduct many of their activities without
Iranian foreknowledge.
Hizballah terrorism is driven by the movement's internal
goals. Lebanese Shia fundamentalists do not target Western
officials primarily because Iran has ordered them to do so.
Hizballah and Iranian cooperation on anti-Western terrorism arises
from the shared belief that the first step in an Islamic
revolution is the elimination of Western influence from Lebanon.
Hizballah leaders share with Iran the ultimate objective of
establishing an Islamic state in Lebanon and are therefore often
receptive to Iranian encouragement and recommendations. Certain
Hizballah elements, however, are also motivated by other concerns,
such as a desire to free their Lebanese coreligionists in prison
for terrorism in Kuwait and elsewhere.
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The Lebanese Hizballah movement has grown increasingly
independent as it has expanded in terms of membership and
resources. Hizballah leaders are now serious competitors for the
leadership of Lebanon's large Shia population and command the
loyalty of perhaps as many as several thousand armed fighters.
There is mounting evidence that the Lebanese Shias---although
respectful of Khomeini and the Iranian revolution---will no longer
tolerate Iranian attempts to dictate their policies. Heavyhanded
Iranian behavior and the competition between rival elements within
the Iranian Government have also annoyed leaders of the Lebanese
Hizballah.
In summary, the Hizballah network has become an autonomous
terrorist problem in its own right. Iran supports and advises the
Hizballah but cannot control it. It is no longer safe to assume
that Iranian officials know in advance about all Hizballah
operations.
Iranian Involvement in Past Terrorism
While Iran does not appear to be responsible for the current
hijacking, there is considerable evidence of Iranian support for
past terrorism in Lebanon. Circumstantial evidence indicates that
the bombing of the US Embassy, irut in April 198 was the work
of pro-Iranian Lebanese Shias
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The "Islamic Jihad Organization," which claimed responsibility
for the bombing of the Embassy was probably an Iranian-supported
Lebanese Shia group.
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-- The Jihad Organization had claimed responsibility for the
attack in March on the US Marines assigned to the
multinational peacekeeping force. It also said it carried
out at least one other attack against the French contingent
of the multinational force.
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Evidence also pointed to Iranian-backed Lebanese Shias as
perpetrators of the bombing of the US and French Multinational
Force contingents in Lebanon during October 1983.
members of the Shia
Musawi family, associated with several pro-Iranian Shia
splinter groups, were primarily responsible for the attacks.
several pickup trucks of the type used in the
attacks were seen parked in front of a Musawi office in
Beirut.
-- The Musawis are involved with the Islamic Amal group based
in the Bekaa Valley and with the Husayni Suicide Forces
based in southern Beirut.
approximately 10 minutes after the bombings
occurred, all of the officials of an Iranian Embassy office in
West Beirut departed hastily by car. This Iranian office is
believed to have engaged exclusively in intelligence activities.
-- It is unlikely they could have been prepared to depart so
quickly without prior knowledge of the attack.
-- A high-ranking Iranian official stated publicly after the
bombings that "the Muslim people" in Lebanon had acted in
accordance with Khomeini's principles of revolution and that
he hoped the US and France had "learned their lesson."
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We also suspect Iran was involved in the bombing of the US
Embassy Annex in East Beirut in September 1984, but we have less
specific evidence in this case.
Iranian Policy Regarding Terrorism
Tehran's support for terrorism stems primarily from the
perception of the Khomeini regime that it has a religious duty to
export its Islamic revolution and to wage, by whatever means
necessary, a constant struggle against the non-Islamic world,
particularly the US. Tehran's aim is to eliminate Western
influence, overthrow pro-Western regimes, and establish Islamic
republics. Iranian leaders--both clerics and laymen--are
convinced of the righteousness of Khomeini's brand of Islamic
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fundamentalism and believe that other Muslim societies would
benefit from it. This religious motivation provides Iranian
leaders with a moral justification for the use of terrorism.
Iranian leaders are divided between Islamic radicals and
pragmatists who both support the use of terrorism--although for
different reasons--and conservatives and moderates who generally
oppose it. Islamic radicals, such-as Deputy Foreign Minister
Sheikholeslam, a leader of the students who seized the US Embassy
in Tehran, and Majid Kamal, who directs intelligence activities
from an office in the Foreign Ministry, are major advocates of
terrorism as a legitimate tool of state policy. In their view,
the fusion of politics and religion justifies any means to export
the revolution. Moreover, radical clerics in Qom who may hold no
official position within the regime have independent sources of
income and are able to finance and support terrorist operations
without government approval.
Pragmatists--such as President Khamenei, Assembly Speaker
Rafsanjani, and Ayatollah Montazeri--are willing to support
whatever policies, including terrorism, that are likely to further
Iranian interests. Each has been linked to the funding and
support of Iranian-backed terrorist groups. They support
terrorism because it can be a highly effective instrument of
policy, but they also recognize the need for improved
state-to-state economic relations and have sought to curb radical
excesses. The pragmatists prefer to use terrorism selectively,
choosing targets important to Iranian national interests rather
than purely revolutionary goals.
Iranian policy on terrorism is now caught up in the internal
power struggle among radicals, pragmatists, and conservatives as
Iran moves toward the post-Khomeini era. So long as Iranian
pragmatists perceive little cost in supporting terrorist
operations, the Khomeini regime will continue its deep involvement
in terrorism. Moreover, the US will remain a high-priority target
for Iranian terrorism barring the unlikely accession of a
conservative coalition.
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Chronology of attacks by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon
14 June 1985 TWA Flight 847 hijacked from Athens to Beirut.
Hizballah elements involved in holding US
hostages are encouraged by Iranian officials
to prolong incident.
9 June 1985 American University of Beirut official Thomas
Sutherland kidnaped in West Beirut. Radical
Shias with links to Iran suspected.
29 May 1985 Denis Hill, British professor at American
University of Beirut shot to death. Islamic
Jihad first claimed credit and then denied
responsibility. Pro-Iranian radical Shias are
still suspected.
28 May 1985 David Jacobsen, US Director of American
University Hospital, kidnaped. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
23 May 1985 Two Frenchmen, journalist Jean-Paul Kaufmann
and researcher Michel Saurat, kidnaped while
leaving Beirut International Airport. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
29 April 1985 French journalist Norbert Balit escaped from a
kidnaping attempt. Pro-Iranian radical Shias
are the most likely suspects.
18 April 1985
Georges Sayegh, Lebanese citizen and Vice
President of American University of Beirut,
kidnaped and interrogated about personnel
working at the university. Radical Shias.are
suspected.
Two French teachers, Jean Claude Duvent and
Robert Valnassian, apparently mistaken for
Americans, kidnaped and released.
Perpetrators probably were Shia elements
hoping to provide Americans to pro-Iranian
groups seeking additional US hostages.
22 March 1985 French diplomat Marcel Fontaine kidnaped in
West Beirut. Islamic Jihad claimed credit.
16 March 1985 Terry Anderson, US bureau chief for Associated
Press news service, kidnaped in West Beirut.
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
15 March 1985 British businessman Brian Levick kidnaped by
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19 February 1985
22 January 1985
19 January 1985
14 January 1985
13 January 1985
8 January 1985
"Khaybar Brigades." Released because he is
not American.
British metallurgist Geoffrey Nash kidnaped in
West Beirut by "Khaybar Brigades." Released
because he is not American.
Dutch priest Nicholas Kluiters disappeared in
Bekaa Valley and was later found dead.
Hizballah elements possibly involved.
French observer killed in West Beirut.
Radical Shias with links to Iran suspected.
Bomb exploded on street in front of American
University Hospital. Radical Shias suspected.
Bomb exploded near Iraqi bank. Radical Shias
with links to Iran suspected.
Two French observers shot dead in West
Beirut. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
Bomb defused at home of FSN employee of US
Embassy. Radical Shias suspected.
Father Lawrence Jenco, US Citizen, director of
Catholic Relief Services, kidnaped. Islamic
Jihad claimed responsibility.
7 January 1985 French observer killed. Reporting indicated
pro-Iranian Shias responsible.
30 November 1984 Peter Kilburn, US librarian at American
University, kidnaped. Islamic Jihad claimed
credit. Hizballah elements believed to be
holding him.
20 September 1984 Truck bomb exploded 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 claimed credit.
24 August 1984
24 August 1984
British consular office in Beirut suffered
extensive damage from rocket attack. Radical
Shia elements are the most likely suspects.
Saudi Embassy in Beirut sacked by radical
Shias unable to obtain visas for the Hajj.
Attack claimed by Islamic Jihad.
2 July 1984 Bomb caused extensive damage to Beirut office
of L'Orient Le Jour newspaper. Radical Shia
elements are the most likely suspects.
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VLJ\.1\L.J1 LYVL V1\LY
6-7 June 1984
6 June 1984
8 May 1984
5 May 1984
16 April 1984
28 March 1984
27 March 1984
22 March 1984
16 March 1984
7 March 1984
6 March 1984
15 February 1984
10 February 1984
French embassy car blown up. Radical Shias
suspected.
Two car bombs exploded in Christian town of
Juniyah; killing at least two and wounding
scores. Shia driver identified.
Saudi Embassy in Beirut attacked twice.
Islamic Jihad claims credit.
One French observer killed, two wounded by
sniper fire by Hizballah elements.
American Presbyterian Minister, Benjamin weir,
kidnaped by Hizballah elements.
Soviet cultural center hit by rocket. "Forces
of the Islamic Dawn" claimed credit. Radical
Shia elements showing support for the Afghan
resistance are suspected.
French doctor in observer group wounded by
gunmen firing from a passing car.
French officer in observer group killed by
probable radical Shia gunmen firing from a
passing car.
French cultural attache shot four times while
walking to work in Beirut. Pro-Iranian Shias
suspected.
British Council building in Beirut damaged by
bomb. Radical Shia are the most likely
suspects.
US Political Officer, William Buckley,
kidnaped by Hizballah elements.
American journalist, Jeremy Levin, kidnapped
by Hizballah elements.
Islamic Jihad claimed credit for three attacks
on French facilities following visit by
Foreign Minister Cheysson to Beirut. One
Frenchman killed.
Christian Joubert, French architect, kidnaped
by Hizballah elements. Rescued on 15 April.
Dr. Frank Regeir, American professor at
American University in Beirut, kidnaped by
Hizballah elements. Rescued on 15 April 1984.
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18 January 1984 Dr. Malcolm Kerr, President of American
University in Beirut, murdered. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
17 January 1984 Saudi Consul Hussein Farrash kidnaped by
Hizballah elements. Released in May 1985.
13 January 1984 French diplomat's wife wounded by two men on
motorcycle. Radical Shias suspected.
27 December 1983 Car bomb attack on British multinational force
convoy. Radical Shia elements are suspected.
21 December 1983 Bar frequented by US Plarines bombed. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
21 December 1983 Truck bomb attack against French Multinational
Force headquarters. Ten killed, 125
wounded. Islamic Jihad claimed
res pons ib it ity.
23 October 1983 French Multinational Force barracks hit by car
bomb which kills 56 troops. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
23 October 1983 Car bombing of US Marines barracks; 239
killed. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
19 October 1983 US Marine supply convoy car bombed. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
16 October 1983 One US Marine killed and three wounded in
sniper attack on US Multinational Force
elements. Islamic Jihad claimed
res pons ib it ity.
6 August 1983 French Ambassador's home attacked. Islamic
Jihad claimed credit.
5 August 1983 French Embassy hit by rocket-propelled
grenades. Islamic Jihad claimed credit.
21 July 1983 Dr. David Dodge, president of American
University in Beirut kidnaped on 19 July 1982
by Hizballah elements, was released in good
health through Syrian intervention. During
his detention he was taken to Iran.
July 1983 Several rocket-propelled grenade attacks on US
Multinational Force barracks at Beirut
International Airport. Islamic Jihad claimed
repons ib it ity.
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July 1983
18 April 1983
Islamic Jihad claimed credit for several
grenade attacks on French Multinational Force
elements.
Car bomb attack on US Embassy in West Beirut
killed 57 and wounded more than 100. Islamic
Jihad claimed responsibility.
8 April 1983 Two rocket-propelled grenades fired at French
Multinational Force elements. Islamic Jihad
claimed credit.
16 March 1983 Five US Marines wounded in a grenade attack
near the airport. Islamic Jihad claimed
responsibility.
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