Unit 700 is a covert logistics and smuggling division within the

Quds Force The Quds Force () is one of five branches of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It specializes in unconventional warfare and military intelligence operations. U.S. Army's Iraq War General Stanley McChrystal describes the Quds Fo ...

, the external operations arm of

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...

’s

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is a multi-service primary branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces, Iranian Armed Forces. It was officially established by Ruhollah Khom ...

(IRGC). Established to facilitate the transfer of military equipment and support to Iran’s regional proxies, particularly

Hezbollah Hezbollah ( ; , , ) is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary group. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese Parliament. I ...

Lebanon Lebanon, officially the Republic of Lebanon, is a country in the Levant region of West Asia. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south ...

and various militias in

Syria Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in West Asia located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to Syria–Turkey border, the north, Iraq to Iraq–Syria border, t ...

, Unit 700 plays a pivotal role in Iran's strategy to project influence across the

Middle East The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...

Key functions and operations

Weapons and Logistics Transfer Unit 700 is responsible for smuggling weapons, equipment, and funds to Iranian-backed groups. It operates in close coordination with other Quds Force units, notably

Unit 190 Unit 190 is a specialized division within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, primarily responsible for the clandestine transfer and smuggling of weapons to organizations, groups, and states allied with Iran. The unit operate ...

, and Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, forming a comprehensive network for arms distribution. Use of Humanitarian Cover The unit has reportedly exploited humanitarian crises to mask its operations. For instance, following the 2023 earthquake in northern Syria, Unit 700 allegedly smuggled weapons and personnel under the guise of delivering humanitarian aid. Maritime Smuggling Routes In response to increased scrutiny and challenges in land-based routes, Iran has shifted to maritime channels for arms smuggling. Unit 700, alongside Unit 190, oversees these sea-based operations, leveraging ports like

Beirut Beirut ( ; ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, just under half of Lebanon's population, which makes it the List of largest cities in the Levant region by populatio ...

to facilitate the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah.

Leadership and international sanctions

Unit 700 is reportedly led by Gal Farsat, a former Quds Force official with extensive ties in Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. In September 2024, the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

imposed sanctions on Unit 700, citing its involvement in activities intended to destabilize other countries, including the UK. The sanctions entail asset freezes and restrictions on dealings with the unit.

Strategic importance

Unit 700's operations are integral to Iran's broader strategy of supporting proxy groups to extend its influence and counter adversaries in the region. By facilitating the covert transfer of military resources, the unit enables sustained operations of groups like Hezbollah, thereby impacting the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.

References

{{Reflist Quds Force Quds Force personnel Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers Military of Iran Paramilitary organisations based in Iran Axis of Resistance

Key functions and operations

Leadership and international sanctions

Strategic importance

See also

References