Unit 910: Hezbollah’s Covert Arm for Recruiting Foreign Students in Iran
International intelligence obtained by Iran International reveals details of a clandestine recruitment network allegedly operated inside Iran by the Lebanese militia Hezbollah’s external operations apparatus. The network reportedly targets foreign students, training them in sabotage, cyberattacks and espionage under the cover of official educational and religious institutions.
According to the reports, the structure known as “Unit 910” began approaching foreign students at Al-Mustafa International University approximately five years ago, working in direct cooperation and coordination with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force. It allegedly relies on secret apartments and premises in Qom and Tehran for training and accommodation.
Operations Under Talal Hamiyah
According to the same sources, the network’s on-the-ground operations are managed by an Indonesian named Mohammad Hassan, a graduate of Al-Mustafa University. Hassan reportedly works under the supervision of Quds Force officials and on behalf of Talal Hamiyah, the head of Unit 910, which is responsible for Hezbollah’s external operations. Hamiyah is subject to US sanctions, and Washington has offered a reward of up to $7 million for information about him.
The intelligence indicates that the unit, founded by Imad Mughniyeh before his death in 2008, underwent leadership changes involving Mustafa Badreddine and Ahmad Vahidi before assuming its current structure, which manages safe houses in Iran.
Locations in Qom and Tehran
The sources identified four premises allegedly used as “operational houses” for recruitment, training and concealment. These comprise an apartment in the Kashaneh 2 tower in Velayat, near Hakim and Payambar-e Azam streets in Qom, and three locations in Tehran: on Seventh Kish Street in the Naft neighbourhood; on Third West Sarvestan Street in the Rah Ahan area; and in the Sarv alleys near Alborz Street in the Pounak district.
The intelligence also alleges that cleric Habib Mustafa Zeaiter is involved in recruitment. Born in Lebanon’s Jabal Amel region and residing in Qom, Zeaiter holds American citizenship and travels to the United States several times a year.
Zeaiter allegedly used his fluency in English and his work at religious and academic institutions in Qom, including the Al-Nour Islamic Centre and Hikmah International Academy, to approach foreign students and recruit them for the network.
Sleeper Cells and Indonesian Recruits
The report identifies four individuals allegedly recruited and trained within the network’s sleeper cells in Iran: Mohammad Zaki Fathoni, chairman of the leadership council of the Followers of the Prophet’s Household organisation in Indonesia; Ahmad Zilal Mukhlis, a member of the Al-Mustafa University alumni association; Sayed Mohammad Mahdi Ali Al-Attas, president of the Indonesian Students’ Union in Iran; and Mohammad Saleh, an Al-Mustafa University student active in circles supportive of the Iranian authorities.
These activities allegedly take place under the umbrella of Al-Mustafa International University, founded by former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and operating branches in more than 60 countries. The university received government funding of 1.8 trillion Iranian tomans for the 2026 fiscal year.
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the university over established links to military and intelligence activities conducted on behalf of the Quds Force.
