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Unit 18000 is a special unit within Quds Force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) branch for extraterritorial operations, supporting proxies and regional influence. The unit is led by Ali Hassan Mahdavi, an IRGC commander. The unit is responsible for coordinating military and logistic activities to enhance Iran’s influence in the region. The unit mainly operates in Syria, organizing transportation of weapons and military used by Iranian proxies to follow its strategic goals.[1][2][3]

Key activities

Ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC)
Forces
Ground forces,
Aerospace and Quds 		Navy
Colonel General Pasdar Admiral Pasdar
Lieutenant General Pasdar Vice Admiral Pasdar
Major General Pasdar Rear Admiral Pasdar
Brigadier General Pasdar Commodore Pasdar
Second Brigadier General Pasdar Second Brigadier Admiral
Colonel Pasdar Captain Pasdar
Lieutenant colonel Pasdar Frigate Captain Pasdar
Major Pasdar Lieutenant Commander Pasdar
Captain Pasdar Captain Lieutenant Pasdar
Lieutenant Pasdar Lieutenant Pasdar
Second Lieutenant Pasdar Second Lieutenant Pasdar
Junior Lieutenant Pasdar Junior Lieutenant Pasdar
Sergeant Major Pasdar Warrant Officer Pasdar
Second Sergeant Major Pasdar Michman Pasdar
Sergeant Pasdar Petty Officer Pasdar
Second Sergeant Pasdar Second Petty Officer Pasdar
Junior Sergeant Pasdar Junior Petty Officer Pasdar
Corporal Pasdar Able Seaman Pasdar
Soldier Pasdar Seaman Pasdar
Note: The forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are called “Pasdar”.
“Pasdar” is a Persian word meaning “Guardian” or “Watchman”.

Coordination of Shipments

Unit 18000 is in charge of organizing logistic and smuggling operations of weapons and military equipment to Iranian proxies, like Hezbollah, Kata’ib Hezbollah and other militia groups in the Middle East. By doing so, it increases it influence throughout the region.[2][1]

Collaboration with other Quds Force units

Unit 18000 collaborates with Quads force, transporting weapons to Iran’s proxies in Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza. The unit has close ties to Unit 190, that oversees logistic and arms smuggling, Unit 700 that excels in smuggling supplies and Unit 340, that is headed by Hamid Fazeli and provides supporting armed groups, aiming to destabilize Israel. The unit also oversees rocket launches executed by Harakat Al-Nujaba.[4][5] The close cooperation between these units and others, help Iran support its proxies in attempt to influence the Middle East.[2][6]

Use of humanitarian cover

Unit 18000 was accused of using missions of humanitarian aid, to cover there arms smuggling operations. The most notable incidents took place after the 2023 Syrian earthquake, when the unit smuggled military equipment, using the cover of humanitarian aid. By doing so, Quads force managed to avoid international sanctions and continued to strengthen its proxies.[7][8]

Leadership

Unit 18000 is led by IRGC commander Hassan Mahdavi. As the unit’s leader he managed to make it an essential component in Iran’s ambition to achieve regional influence in the Middle East. Another unit leader was Mohammad Reza Zahedi. He was killed during the 2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus.[9]

Strategic importance

Unit 18000 has played a major role in the Quads Force strategy to expand Iran’s regional influence in the Middle East, while avoiding international sanctions. The unit continues its support in Iran’s military and political goals in the region, by continues use of humanitarian aid as cover for its smuggling operations.[10][11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b “Institute for the Study of War”. Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  2. ^ a b c Aslani, Mostafa (2023-06-13). “Inside Iran Regime’s Covert Quds Force Unit 700”. Iran News Update. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  3. ^ “Senior Iranian Politician Glorifies Afghan Shiite Militiamen Fighting in Syria”. Middle East Institute. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  4. ^ “IRGC Quds Force Unit 700”. IFMAT. 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  5. ^ “UK sanctions secret IRGC Quds Force unit arming Iran’s proxies”. www.iranintl.com. 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  6. ^ “IRGC Quds Force Unit 700”. IFMAT. 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  7. ^ “Exclusive: Iran exploits earthquake relief mission to fly weapons to Syria”. Reuters. 2023.
  8. ^ “Iran Continues To Use Syria’s Earthquake To Ramp Up Military Capabilities”. www.iranintl.com. 2023. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  9. ^ “Iran says Israel bombs its embassy in Syria, kills commanders”. 2024.
  10. ^ Veisi, Morad. “A Look At Three Decades Of Iran’s Secretive Quds Force”. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  11. ^ Koningsveld, Akiva Van (2021-02-27). “Inside The Quds Force: Iran’s Long Arm of Terror”. HonestReporting. Retrieved 2025-02-13.
  12. ^ “COUNTERING IRAN’S REGIONAL STRATEGY” (PDF). washington institute. 2022.