Website: www.isaar.ir;

Address: 1. Iran; 2. Lebanon;

Known also as: Foundation of Martyrs and Martyr’s Affairs, Iran; Foundation of Martyrs (of the Islamic Revolution) and Martyr’s Affairs; Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans; Bonyad Shahid va Omur-e Janbazan; Bonyad Shahid.

Activities:

The Martyrs Foundation is an Iranian parastatal organization that channels financial support from Iran to several terrorist organizations in the Levant, including Hizballah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). The Martyrs Foundation established branches in Lebanon staffed by leaders and members of these same terrorist groups. Martyrs Foundation branches in Lebanon has also provided financial support to the families of killed or imprisoned Hizballah and PIJ members, including suicide bombers in the Palestinian territories.

In addition to fundraising responsibilities, senior Martyrs Foundation officials were directly involved in Hizballah operations against Israel during the July-August 2006 conflict. In addition, a Lebanon-based leader of the Martyrs Foundation has directed and financed terrorist cells in the Gaza Strip that worked with Hizballah and PIJ.

The designated, Goodwill Charitable Organization (GCO) – a fundraising office established by the Martyrs Foundation in Dearborn, Michigan, is a Hizballah front organization that reports directly to the leadership of the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon. Hizballah recruited GCO leaders and has maintained close contact with GCO representatives in the United States.

GCO has provided financial support to Hizballah directly and through the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon. Hizballah’s leaders in Lebanon have instructed Hizballah members in the United States to send their contributions to GCO and to contact the GCO for the purpose of contributing to the Martyrs Foundation. Since its founding, GCO has sent a significant amount of money to the Martyrs Foundation in Lebanon.