Marco Mancini , former head of Italian counterintelligence, has information published exclusively by Il Riformista. Here are the names, cells, and covert operations that no one has ever reported: the “11,000” unit and the “840” unit.
“There are two elite Iranian units active around the world, the “11,000” and the “840.” They are two terrorist structures established within the Quds Force, an elite group based in Tehran and composed of Iranians and elite Hezbollah men, Lebanese with dual Iranian citizenship. The latter is commanded by Esmail Qaani, an intelligence operative in Tehran. Esmail Qaani’s nickname is Akbamead. The Quds Force, led by Esmail Qaani, is under the command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, led by Mohammad Pakpour. Both units are made up of Iranian agents, specialized in sabotage, espionage and terrorism actions.”
Are they essentially Iranian intelligence operatives?
“They are Iranian intelligence units within the Quds Force.”
But are they in Hezbollah?
“They are in Hezbollah, but you’ll also understand later that there are Hezbollah operatives who are already part of the ‘11,000.’ We’ve located the operational leader; he’s wanted, and he’s from Hezbollah. The ‘11,000’ unit is made up of around 11,000 terrorists.”
Are these code names?
“Yes, they call them by these code names. The ‘11,000’ unit is called that because it has 11,000 personnel worldwide. Five hundred are operational agents, all the others are informants, logistical support, officers and non-commissioned officers infiltrated into agencies, universities, and international organizations to report anything of Iranian interest to the unit’s intelligence headquarters in Tehran.”
What is their mission?
“The goal is to eliminate the enemies of Iran and of Supreme Leader Khamenei’s regime, primarily eliminating Jews and Israelis around the world suspected of collaborating with Tel Aviv’s intelligence services.”
If Jews and friends of Jews are targeted, we’re all in it.
“Of course, we’re all in it: those who inform, by bringing the Iranian opposition to the forefront, or by explaining Israel’s arguments in their media outlets, can be targeted for priority elimination. In North and South America, in Europe, and therefore also in Italy.”
How do these two groups operate abroad?
“The modus operandi of the ’11mila’ and ‘840’ units involves contacting local criminal groups and delegating terrorist actions against their targets to drug traffickers who identify, within the context in which they operate, the targets to be eliminated.”
For example, in Italy?
“In Italy, they operate with an infiltrated network that communicates with drug trafficking groups, including Albanian gangs.”
From the information you have, where is the “11,000” unit operating?
“In 2024, it was very active in Greece, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil. The operational headquarters of the “11,000” unit is located in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, in the area under Hezbollah control. It is led by Haitham Diad, a Lebanese citizen with an Iranian passport.”
Wanted by the Mossad, I imagine…
“Diad is actively sought by Tel Aviv intelligence. He is currently hiding in a villa, a detached house, in the town of Talabaya, Lebanon, near the Bekaa Valley. During the latest bombings that hit Lebanon, he took refuge in Syria. He took refuge in the Iranian consulate in Syria, which Israel targeted precisely to eliminate him. But he hasn’t been eliminated; he’s still alive and dangerous.”
What’s his background?
“Haitham Diad, on behalf of Hezbollah, lived in Brazil for a long time and was suspected by the Brazilian police of being part of a drug trafficking organization. This trafficking was used by Hezbollah to finance its activities. Hezbollah has been involved in drugs for several years to finance itself. While he was in Brazil, Diad married a Brazilian citizen, a Christian. They do this to blend in. Now they are divorced, she is supposed to be in France.”
So let’s turn to Europe. The information he’s giving us is disturbing.
“I know. But it’s better to know these things. Here we have Unit 840, made up of about 700 men, created by the direct will of the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. It is led by Azher Bacri, an exceptionally dangerous intelligence agent. Well trained, he speaks three languages—Arabic, English, and Farsi—perfectly. He is the agent for special operations, the operations that must be conducted against Jewish figures, Israelis, and friends of Jews and Israelis in Europe, and therefore in Italy. Azher Bacri is a dangerous, high-level figure.”
Does he act on direct instructions from Tehran?
“He studies, plans, and executes his projects with a high degree of autonomy, but he often travels to Tehran with his right-hand man, Mohammed Rashai. The operations, and therefore the acquisition of information, are then passed on to Azher Bacri to decide whether to eliminate, carry out attacks, sabotage, or kill some Jews, Europeans, or Americans. Because the “840,” unlike the “11,000,” operates against European and American targets. They must identify and eliminate all those working against Iran or suspected of working for Israeli intelligence.”
How large are their presences in Europe and Italy?
“The 840 operates with structures employing 200 to 250 agents on every continent. The information is requested by Azher Bacri, planned, and transmitted to the desk chief, who oversees the operations with a certain Mohammed Rashai. He’s the one who travels, even physically, for inspections, shadowing, and target verification, including in Italy, Europe, and the United States. Rashai brings the gathered, raw information to the desk chief, who, once analyzed and verified in its entirety and feasibility, passes it on to the boss, Azher Bacri. Naturally, any elimination is proposed by Azher Bacri hierarchically to Esmail Qaani, then to the Revolutionary Guard, and then, of course, to Khamenei.”
How dangerous is it?
“Maximum. They can target Jewish and non-Jewish citizens, Israelis and friends of Israelis, or those suspected of being friends of Israelis. They are trained to infiltrate, to blend in with non-Iranians, even by marrying Christian women. Iran is rearming and carrying out a widespread intelligence operation worldwide. We must raise our guard. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has understood the danger of Russian infiltration. We must make it clear that the Iranian threat is no less serious.”
How should we proceed?
“We need strong counterintelligence efforts, coordinated among European countries. We can no longer address global threats by fighting as a single nation. Iran has exported the war through its own secret agents.”
Do the killer units you’re describing enjoy diplomatic cover?
“According to my information, there are structures within the Iranian diplomatic and consular network that provide these operations, including in Italy and Europe. I know the headquarters where the operational orders are issued; I know the one in Rome and the one in Ankara. I know where the cover for the ‘11,000’ and ‘840’ units is hidden. And the structure that holds the reins within Europe—I’m talking about the intelligence structures that acquire this information—has been the Iranian embassy in Turkey for years.”
