Leak of Confidential Documents: Activities of 'Iranian Spies' in South Africa

Al Jazeera and the British newspaper The Guardian report on confidential documents that have been obtained by these two media outlets, containing information gathered by the South African intelligence agency about 'Iranian spies' in that country. According to Al Jazeera, the 128-page report titled 'Operational Target Analysis,' written by South African spies in January 2010, lists the names, details, and espionage activities of 'dozens' of individuals believed to be covert agents of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Al Jazeera states that some of the suspects carrying out secret missions for the Islamic Republic of Iran work at the Iranian embassy in South Africa. Al Jazeera reports that U.S. officials estimate the number of individuals suspected of conducting covert missions for Iran, along with their support personnel worldwide, to be '30,000.' The leaked intelligence documents relate to intelligence agencies from Russia, Israel, the UK, South Africa, and Australia, covering the years 2006 to December 2014. The documents indicate that Iranian officials attempted to discuss ways to circumvent sanctions against Iran during meetings with then-South African President Thabo Mbeki, with a delegation led by 'Mr. Rouhani' meeting with Mbeki in October 2005. Al Jazeera suggests that 'Mr. Rouhani' likely refers to Hassan Rouhani, the current president of Iran. The document states that the nature of these discussions involved Iran's request for South Africa's assistance with Iran's nuclear program and the provision of missile technology and technical advice. The documents reveal that South African intelligence officials noted that Iranian officials were particularly interested in satellite tracking technologies, internet surveillance, and hacking techniques. According to these officials, Iranian authorities were also seeking tools to break internet encryption and protect their internet secrets, having made multiple contacts with various institutions and companies in South Africa in 2005. The documents also mention an Iranian diplomat with a gambling problem, whom the Iranian government helped to avoid accruing significant debt. The document continues that the official who came for the 'cleansing' of personnel intended to return this diplomat to Iran, but this was not possible due to his political connections. Another South African intelligence document states that Iranian officials 'cleansed' several Iranian embassy diplomats whose loyalty to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had come into question. According to The Guardian, other suspects believed to be spying for Iran operate under the guise of journalists or traders, with many using Iranian carpet shops as a cover for their activities. The newspaper reports that 'one suspect, while intoxicated, admitted to being a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.' The document continues that he used his carpet shop as a gathering place for Iranians, including embassy personnel. The Guardian notes that the leaked documents show that the South African intelligence agency does not consider Iran a significant threat to its country. The documents indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not made serious efforts to 'export its revolution' to South Africa and has not taken actions to incite Shia Muslims in that country. Another section of the documents states that the African continent is not a high priority for Iran's influence efforts, with 'Iran's influence in Africa limited to areas with significant Shia minorities,' namely Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Mauritania, Niger, and Guinea.