The Berlin Office for the Protection of the Constitution has recently designated the “Al-Mustafa Institute” as a “suspected extremist case,” raising concerns about its connections to the Iranian regime. Media investigations have revealed troubling links between the institute’s administrators and the Iranian regime, casting doubt on its stated purpose as a religious educational institution.
Background and Structure

Founded in 2015, the Al-Mustafa Institute operates in Berlin as a non-profit limited liability company. Despite its official mission to provide educational courses in Islamic theology, German authorities have grown increasingly suspicious of its activities. According to reports by Stern magazine and RTL television, the institute has been under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in recruiting operatives and spies for the Iranian regime. These accusations have been denied by the institute’s leadership, yet evidence points to its deep connections with high-ranking officials in Tehran.
Connections to Iran and Al-Mustafa International University

The institute conducts its educational programs as distance learning courses in collaboration with Al-Mustafa International University in Qom, Iran. Established in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution, this university has focused on training foreign students and is regarded as a hub for Shiite Islamist ideology. Since 2020, it has been under U.S. sanctions for its alleged role in espionage and recruitment activities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), particularly the Quds Force.

Mehdi Esfahani, the CEO of the Berlin-based institute, confirmed that financial support from the university in Qom was previously provided. This revelation has further fueled speculation about the Berlin branch’s role as an extension of Iranian intelligence operations.
Leadership and Operations

Mehdi Esfahani is the sole employee currently listed on the institute’s website, though archived versions indicate a larger staff in the past, including German citizens. Esfahani’s background includes studies in Tehran during the 1990s, a doctorate from the University of Berlin, and a position as an assistant professor at Al-Mustafa University in Qom since 2016.

The institute’s commercial records also list three other shareholders: Mehdi Rajainia, Zainol Abedin Mirfatimi, and an unnamed woman. Both Rajainia and Mirfatimi are prominent figures within the Iranian regime and have been seen participating in official events alongside Esfahani. Media reports suggest Rajainia has attended meetings with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and high-profile funerals of regime-associated politicians.
Dubious Business Connections

Esfahani also manages an information technology company in Berlin, an unusual venture for a scholar of Islamic theology. Investigations by Stern and RTL found that the listed office for this company leads to a residential address. One of the registered partners at this address confirmed knowing Esfahani but refused to disclose further details.
The Role of Hossein K.

Another key figure is Hossein K., a dual German-Iranian citizen born in Neyshabur in 1982. He reportedly established the Al-Mustafa Institute through a power of attorney. Hossein K. worked at Iran’s Berlin embassy as a technical assistant from 2009 to 2015 and has been linked to organizing religious seminars and Shia dialogue forums. He also arranged visits to the Islamic Center of Hamburg (IZH), a facility banned in 2024 by German authorities for its ties to the Tehran regime and Hezbollah.

Media reports indicate that Hossein K. acknowledged indirect connections with Iranian intelligence services and the Quds Force during his embassy tenure. He also reportedly applied for a job in IT with the German police but was rejected after a security investigation uncovered his links to the Iranian regime.
Broader Implications

The Al-Mustafa Institute’s designation as a suspected extremist entity underscores the growing concern among German authorities about Tehran’s influence within Europe. The institute’s connections to sanctioned entities, its leadership’s ties to high-ranking Iranian officials, and its questionable business operations collectively paint a troubling picture. As investigations continue, the case serves as a reminder of the challenges European nations face in countering foreign interference and safeguarding national security.

Source » irannewsupdate