Majid Dastjani Farahani Sought for Questioning Over Alleged Iranian Intelligence Operations in the United States
Iranian Intelligence Officer
Majid Dastjani Farahani, an Iranian intelligence officer, is wanted for questioning in connection with the alleged recruitment of individuals for operations inside the United States. According to the FBI, these activities included the lethal targeting of current and former U.S. government officials and surveillance of locations throughout the country. Farahani allegedly acted directly or indirectly for or on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).
Targeting U.S. Government Officials
Farahani is wanted for questioning concerning the alleged recruitment of individuals to lethally target current and former officials of the United States government. The reported operations were connected with Iranian efforts to retaliate for the January 2020 killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani. Authorities are seeking information concerning Farahani’s role in identifying and recruiting people who could participate in these operations.
The alleged targeting of American officials makes the case a significant U.S. national-security and counterintelligence matter. Farahani’s reported activities involved recruiting other individuals rather than acting exclusively on his own, raising questions about the wider network connected with the operations. Information concerning his associates and contacts may therefore be important to investigators.
Revenge for Qasem Soleimani
The alleged plots were connected with efforts to seek revenge for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s IRGC-Qods Force. Soleimani was killed in a U.S. strike in Baghdad, Iraq, in January 2020, and Iranian officials subsequently threatened retaliation. Farahani is alleged to have participated in activities involving the recruitment of people for operations targeting American officials as part of this retaliatory effort.
Authorities are particularly interested in individuals who may have been recruited, contacted, or directed in connection with such operations. Farahani’s alleged involvement places him within a wider investigation into Iranian intelligence activity targeting people inside the United States. The FBI continues seeking information concerning his activities and relationships.
Recruitment for Operations
Recruitment is a central component of the activities attributed to Farahani. He reportedly sought individuals who could participate in various operations in the United States, including activities directed toward specific people and locations. His alleged role therefore involved establishing or supporting networks capable of carrying out activities on behalf of Iranian intelligence.
The recruitment activity potentially allowed operations to be conducted through intermediaries rather than directly by Iranian government personnel. Authorities are seeking information concerning individuals who communicated or worked with Farahani and the circumstances under which they were approached. These relationships may provide investigators with greater insight into how the alleged operations were organized.
Surveillance of Religious Sites
Farahani also reportedly recruited individuals to conduct surveillance focused on religious sites in the United States. These surveillance activities were separate from, but connected with, the broader range of operations for which authorities want to question him. The identification of religious locations among the surveillance targets has added another significant dimension to the investigation.
Authorities are interested in determining which locations were monitored, who conducted the surveillance, and what purpose the collected information was intended to serve. Farahani’s alleged recruitment of people for these activities connects him with operations occurring directly within the United States. Information concerning individuals who conducted or were approached to conduct surveillance may be relevant to investigators.
Businesses and Other Facilities
Businesses and other facilities in the United States were also reportedly targeted for surveillance by individuals recruited by Farahani. The reported activity suggests that the intelligence-gathering operations were not limited to government locations or specific individuals. Instead, a variety of locations were allegedly examined as part of the operations connected with him.
The purpose and ultimate intended use of information gathered through these surveillance activities remain important areas of investigative interest. Authorities are seeking information concerning Farahani’s instructions, contacts, and relationships with individuals who participated in the activities. His alleged role as a recruiter makes those connections particularly significant.
Connection to Iran's MOIS
Farahani allegedly acted or represented himself as acting, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. MOIS is Iran’s principal civilian intelligence organization and plays a significant role in the country’s intelligence and security activities. Farahani’s alleged relationship with the ministry places the operations connected with him within the broader context of Iranian intelligence activity.
Authorities are examining the extent of Farahani’s relationship with MOIS and the individuals connected with his operations. His activities allegedly involved both recruitment and surveillance directed toward targets inside the United States. Information concerning his contacts with Iranian intelligence personnel may assist investigators in identifying the wider structure behind these activities.
Wider Intelligence Network
The allegations concerning Farahani describe operations involving multiple individuals rather than activity conducted by a single intelligence officer. Recruiting people for lethal targeting and surveillance required contacts capable of operating or gathering information inside the United States. Authorities are therefore interested not only in Farahani but also in the individuals who worked with, communicated with, or received instructions from him.
The investigation has international implications because the alleged operations connect Iranian intelligence interests with activities occurring inside the United States. Individuals outside the country may also possess information concerning Farahani’s movements, contacts, or intelligence relationships. Such information could assist authorities in identifying additional members of the network.
Wanted for Questioning
Majid Dastjani Farahani remains wanted for questioning regarding his alleged recruitment of individuals for operations in the United States. Investigators are seeking information concerning his involvement in the lethal targeting of current and former U.S. government officials, surveillance of religious sites and businesses, and his relationship with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. His whereabouts, associates, travel, and international contacts may also be relevant to the investigation.
Anyone with information concerning Farahani or individuals associated with his activities is encouraged to contact law enforcement. Individuals should not attempt to approach or confront anyone connected with the investigation and should instead provide information directly to authorities. Information relevant to U.S. authorities can be submitted through the FBI, while individuals elsewhere can contact their national law-enforcement authorities for appropriate international coordination.
