AB
PersonIR
Asghar Bakeri
Quds Force Unit 840 commander, reportedly killed 6 April 2026 in Asaluyeh.
Last refreshed: 7 April 2026
Key Question
Who commanded Iran's unit for covert assassinations abroad?
Latest on Asghar Bakeri
Common Questions
- What is Quds Force Unit 840?
- Quds Force Unit 840 is the IRGC's specialist cell for covert external operations, including assassinations, kidnappings, and proxy attacks outside Iran. Western intelligence has linked it to the Riyadh embassy drone attempt and other disrupted plots in Europe and the Gulf.Source: Briefing #61, Lowdown
- Was Asghar Bakeri killed in the April 2026 Israeli strike?
- Regional reporting states Bakeri was killed in the 6 April Israeli strike wave on Asaluyeh, alongside IRGC intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Khademi. Wire-service corroboration was pending at publication.Source: House of Saud regional desk
- What happens to Iran's covert operations if Unit 840's commander is killed?
- Unit 840 is designed to survive command-level attrition through compartmentalised networks. A deputy may authorise operations independently of the disrupted chain, raising the risk of an uncoordinated retaliation that is harder to de-escalate.Source: Briefing #61, Lowdown
Background
Asghar Bakeri is named in regional reporting as the commander of Quds Force Unit 840, the IRGC external operations cell.
How the World Sees Them
Israel
Removing Unit 840's commander disrupts the cell's deniability tradecraft and cutout networks, degrading Iran's covert retaliation options.
Iran / IRGC
Institutional compartmentalisation means Unit 840 can continue operating from distributed networks; command attrition is not network elimination.
Saudi Arabia
Unit 840 was linked to the Riyadh embassy drone attempt; confirmation of Bakeri's death would be assessed as a security gain.
Western intelligence agencies
Unit 840 linked to multiple disrupted plots in Europe and the Gulf; his reported death reduces near-term external threat.