Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) is the country’s most powerful and well-financed government department with a remit to protect the regime.
Under the direct guidance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ministry’s work includes infiltrating opposition groups and arresting spies.
It tracks dissidents, journalists and international companies to protect against global conspiracies and internal threats, according to the US government.
“It has recruited cyber-threat groups, front companies and hackers, and has employed malware to target innocent civilians and companies and advance the regime’s malign agenda around the world,” it said in September.
The ministry is said to have some 25,000 people on the payroll and has a broad reach across all of Iran’s security apparatus.
Under Iran’s constitution, all organisations must share information with MOIS – including the Quds Force, which handles most extraterritorial operations such as assassinations and espionage.
“While their tactics may be somewhat outdated compared to other organisations, the breadth of their coverage, the capabilities at their disposal and the unrestricted authorities they have are unmatched,” said John Sano, formerly deputy director of CIA branch, the National Clandestine Service.
“The MOIS literally is above the law. They are accountable only to the Supreme Leader.”
Assadollah Assadi, the alleged spymaster at the centre of the plot to blow up a dissidents’ rally, worked at the centre of the ministry’s European spy network on the third floor of Iran’s embassy in Vienna, Austria.
His immediate boss is said to be Reza Amiri Moghaddam, a key figure within the ministry, who reported directly to the regime’s intelligence minister, Mahmoud Alavi.
The US Treasury designated MOIS in 2012 for its support of terrorist groups, for rights abuses in Iran and backing the Syrian regime of Bashir Al Assad.
The notice accused the group of supporting Hezbollah, Hamas and Al Qaeda.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
