In a recent investigative report published in Der Spiegel on August 10, the German magazine has shed light on the extensive connections between the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and the Iranian regime, as well as its alleged support for the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The revelations follow the German authorities’ decision to shut down the Blue Mosque in Hamburg, which has long been suspected of serving as a hub for extremist activities.
The report details how the IZH, led by Mohammad Mofatteh, maintained close and continuous contact with the core of the Iranian regime, specifically the so-called “Revolutionary Office” of the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Investigators uncovered over 650 WhatsApp messages exchanged between Mofatteh and Mehdi Mostafavi, the deputy head for international affairs at Khamenei’s office, from late 2021 to the end of 2023. These messages included detailed instructions from Mostafavi to Mofatteh, covering everything from propaganda efforts to coordinating the mosque’s activities in alignment with the regime’s objectives.
The Spiegel report also highlights how, in the aftermath of the October 7 attack, Mofatteh received directives from Tehran on how to frame the incident. The messages from Khamenei’s Office justified the attack, emphasizing the need for a “long war on all fronts, both politically and militarily,” to achieve the regime’s goals.
Hamburg Senate Warns of #Iranian Espionage and Threats Against #MEK Amid Rising Tensionshttps://t.co/eVlsj8CtK3 pic.twitter.com/G3UuGMCgaA
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 10, 2024
Further investigation by German authorities revealed that the IZH was not just a religious institution but acted as a “direct foreign representation” of the Iranian regime in Germany. The authorities discovered documents bearing seals and stamps from Khamenei’s Office, including donation receipts linked to the IZH. These findings were crucial in the decision by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, led by Nancy Faeser, to ban the IZH and seize the Blue Mosque.
Additionally, the Spiegel report uncovers connections between the IZH and Hezbollah. Documents found during raids indicated that a Hezbollah operative responsible for “foreign relations” had frequently visited the Blue Mosque in Hamburg. In 2016, this operative conveyed “thanks and appreciation” from Hezbollah to the then-leader of the IZH for the “financial, moral, and advisory support” provided. Further evidence from Mofatteh’s phone and other IZH officials linked them directly to the Hezbollah operative, whose phone number was discovered in their contacts.
The investigation also revealed that the IZH and Hezbollah representatives had discussed a mosque construction project in the Hanover area, which was closely tied to the IZH. The “Foreign Relations Department” of Hezbollah in Lebanon was reportedly heavily involved in the planning of this project, with reports of implementation issues being sent directly to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The German Federal Prosecutor General is currently investigating several officials from the mosque association in Lower Saxony on suspicion of membership in the Hezbollah terrorist organization.
The ongoing and harrowing conflict in the Middle East has unveiled to the world that the religious fascist regime ruling #Iran is the head of the snake, the central source of perpetuating war and terrorism in the region, posing the primary threat to global peace and security.… pic.twitter.com/IC88of8fEX
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) December 9, 2023
As reported on November 22, 2023, the arrest of Asadollah Assadi, a senior officer at the Iranian regime’s embassy in Vienna, highlighted a significant threat posed by Tehran’s espionage networks. In 2018, German authorities detained Assadi on their soil, uncovering critical evidence during their investigation. Among the items found in Assadi’s vehicle were two notebooks: a “black notebook” with bomb-making instructions and a “green notebook” filled with receipts showing payments made to numerous individuals across Europe. These documents revealed Assadi’s extensive travels throughout Europe and his financial support for agents loyal to the Iranian regime.
The green notebook, containing 289 notes in Latin and Farsi, meticulously documented addresses and details of various locations, including shops, hotels, and restaurants across several European countries, with a significant number in Germany. Notably, one entry referred to the Islamic Center of Hamburg. Despite having intelligence on these networks, Western security services have often failed to take effective action, possibly due to political considerations or underestimations of the threat level. The conviction of Assadi and his accomplices in Belgium underscored the potential danger of Tehran’s sleeper cells, revealing their capacity to pose serious risks to national security and the safety of citizens and leaders alike.