How Africa's largest mobile operator built a surveillance and targeting architecture for a designated terrorist organisation, traded South African weapons and United Nations votes for a telecoms licence, and became trapped inside the machine it helped create.
$1B+Alleged to IRGC
70MSubscribers Monitored
5Active US Lawsuits
22Years of Exposure
Background
Who Is MTN Group?
🇿🇦 MTN Group Limited is Africa's largest mobile telecommunications company, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, and listed on the JSE (Johannesburg Stock Exchange). Founded in 1994 with assistance from the post-apartheid government, it now operates in 16 countries across Africa and the Middle East, serving over 300 million subscribers. In October 2025, it became the first African-headquartered telecoms company to reach that milestone, making it the sixth-largest mobile operator in the world by subscriber count.
In 2005, MTN obtained a licence to operate a mobile network in 🇮🇷 Iran through a venture called MTN-Irancell. The licence was originally awarded to Turkish rival Turkcell, but MTN allegedly used bribes, promises of South African military weapons, and diplomatic pressure at the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to replace Turkcell and secure the contract. MTN's internal codename for this operation was "Project Snooker," named after the billiard game, because MTN intended to "snooker" its competitor.
MTN's partner in the venture is not a commercial enterprise. The controlling 51% of MTN-Irancell is held by entities directly controlled by Iran's military establishment and Supreme Leader. MTN holds the remaining 49% through a subsidiary registered in Mauritius.
28 February 2026
Both Controlling Shareholders Killed
On 28 February 2026, during Operation Epic Fury, 🇮🇱 Israeli strikes on Tehran killed both of the ultimate controlling figures behind MTN-Irancell's 51% Iranian stake. The ownership chain of Iran's largest digital network was decapitated in a single night.
🇮🇷 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Supreme Leader of Iran
Exercised direct personal authority over the Bonyad Mostazafan (Foundation of the Oppressed), a sprawling conglomerate of 350+ companies that is legally classified as neither public nor private and answers solely to the Supreme Leader. The Bonyad was sanctioned by the 🇺🇸 US Treasury in November 2020, described as a "revenue source and patronage network for the Supreme Leader." The Bonyad is one of the two shareholders of the Iran Electronic Development Company (IEDC), which controls 51% of MTN-Irancell.
🇮🇷 Brigadier-General Amir Nasirzadeh
Minister of Defence & Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL)
Controlled MODAFL, which oversees Iran Electronics Industries (known as Sairan or IEI). Sairan builds laser weapons, missile guidance systems, and surveillance equipment for the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps). Sairan is sanctioned by the 🇺🇸 United States, 🇪🇺 European Union, and 🇺🇳 United Nations. Nasirzadeh also ran SPND, which advances nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons projects and partnered with MTN-Irancell on artificial intelligence initiatives in 2025. Sairan/IEI is the second shareholder of IEDC.
For MTN Group, the immediate consequence was stated plainly: on 4 March 2026, the company said it had "no authorized counterparty with whom to negotiate a legal exit." The constitutional mechanism for replacing the Supreme Leader faces unprecedented challenges. The only institution with operational control over MTN-Irancell that remains intact is the IRGC itself.
The Agreement
The Words That Changed Everything
In September 2005, one month before MTN successfully ousted Turkcell from the Iranian licence, MTN Group's CEO Phuthuma Nhleko signed a formal written agreement with representatives of Sairan (Iran's weapons electronics manufacturer) and the Bonyad Mostazafan (the Supreme Leader's personal foundation). This document is known as the "Letter Agreement."
The cooperation between MTN and Iranian shareholders should be in the line of defensive, security and political cooperation.
Letter Agreement, September 2005. Signed by Phuthuma Nhleko, CEO of MTN Group. Source: Turkcell court filing (Case 1:12-cv-00479-RBW, US District Court for the District of Columbia, filed 28 March 2012, para. 941-942); also cited in Zobay v MTN Amended Complaint (Case 1:22-cv-00829-RDM, filed 12 August 2025). Confirmed by Reuters investigation (June 2012).
The 🇺🇸 US court filing in the Zobay terrorism case notes that "security" is a known euphemism in Iranian institutional language for operations against enemies of Iran, specifically the United States. MTN concealed the existence of this agreement from its own shareholders. It remained a closely guarded secret until the Turkcell lawsuit exposed it in 2012.
This was not a commercial telecoms agreement. It was a written commitment by the CEO of a Johannesburg-listed corporation to engage in military, intelligence, and political cooperation with the weapons electronics division of a state that sponsors designated terrorist organisations.
"The Fish"
The Weapons MTN Promised Iran
In August 2004, 🇿🇦 South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota accompanied an MTN delegation to Tehran. The trip was organised and paid for by MTN. During this visit, MTN signed a confidential memorandum promising to deliver "heaven, earth, and fish." In internal MTN communications, "The Fish" became the codename for a specific list of South African military weapons and technology that Iran could not obtain through legitimate channels because of international sanctions.
After Minister Lekota departed Iran, Dr. Mahmoudzadeh (an Iranian official) drafted the specific list. The following items are taken verbatim from the original Turkcell court filing (paragraphs 94-95), filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on 28 March 2012:
🇿🇦 "The Fish" — The Complete Arms List
A.
🚁 Denel AH-2 Rooivalk Attack Helicopters
Based on the 🇺🇸 US-made Apache helicopter platform. Developed by Denel (Pty) Ltd, South Africa's state-owned defence manufacturer. The SA Conventional Arms Control Committee had already rejected their sale to Iran. MTN promised to circumvent this rejection. Irene Charnley faxed the CEO of Denel to arrange a meeting between Denel and the Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (IHSRC).
B.
📡 Frequency-Hopping Military Radios
Encrypted communications equipment capable of sending coded messages that change frequencies rapidly to avoid interception. Standard military-grade secure communications technology.
C.
🎯 Sniper Rifles
South African-manufactured precision weapons. South Africa has a long history of producing high-quality small arms.
D.
💥 G5 Howitzers
South African-developed long-range 155mm artillery pieces that included 🇺🇸 US component parts. The G5 is one of the world's most effective towed artillery systems, developed by the former Armscor (now Denel) during the apartheid era and battle-tested during the South African Border War.
E.
💣 Cannons
Additional artillery systems manufactured in South Africa.
F.
🛡️ Armoured Personnel & Landmine-Proof Carriers
Developed in South Africa by Reutech. South Africa is a world leader in mine-resistant vehicle design, with decades of experience from the Border War. These vehicles are specifically designed to protect occupants from IED (improvised explosive device) and mine detonations.
G.
📡 Radar Technology
Military-grade radar systems for air defence and battlefield surveillance.
H.
🖥️ Pilot "Heads-Up" Display Technology
Computer chips manufactured in Western Cape Province, South Africa. These allow pilots to view critical flight and weapons data projected onto their visor or windscreen without looking down at instruments. Iran's First Vice President specifically asked MTN to assist in procuring these chips.
I.
⚙️ Other Defence Articles
Particularly items including 🇺🇸 US systems or components. This equipment was unavailable to Iran through legitimate means because of US and international restrictions at the time. Chris Kilowan, former MTN executive in Iran, testified that SA Ambassador Saloojee told him Iran wanted "everything from the earth to the sea, and everything that is in the sea and everything that flies."
Source: Turkcell v MTN, Case 1:12-cv-00479-RBW, US District Court for the District of Columbia, filed 28 March 2012, paragraphs 94-95. Also available on MTN's own investor website (mtn.com). Confirmed by AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, Reuters, BusinessTech, The World from PRX, and the American Enterprise Institute.
Network Map
The Spiderweb
MTN Group sits at the centre of a web connecting Johannesburg boardrooms, Tehran's weapons factories, Dubai procurement front companies, Mauritius shell structures, and multiple designated terrorist organisations. Every node below is documented in court filings, corporate records, or published investigative reporting.
The Targeting Chain
From Subscriber Data to Missile Guidance
On 28 February 2026, 🇮🇷 Iranian missiles struck the headquarters of the 🇺🇸 US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain with a degree of precision that demands scrutiny. MTN-Irancell's infrastructure connects directly to every Gulf telecommunications carrier hosting a US military base. Its majority owner, IEI, manufactures the guidance systems in the missiles.
01
📡 SS7 Signalling Network
MTN-Irancell maintains SS7 signalling connections with every major Gulf telecoms carrier. SS7 is the protocol that routes calls and data between mobile networks globally. Critically, it also enables location tracking and call interception. Under an IRGC commander, these connections are directly accessible to Iran's military intelligence.
02
🌐 Roaming Agreements
Standard telecoms roaming agreements with 🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, and 🇦🇪 UAE carriers provide Irancell with signalling data including approximate device locations. Every US military installation in the Gulf is served by a carrier with which MTN-Irancell has a roaming agreement.
03
🔌 Submarine Cable Infrastructure
Bayobab (formerly MTN GlobalConnect), headquartered in 🇦🇪 Dubai, operates wholesale infrastructure including participation in the 2Africa submarine cable consortium. Physical data transit pathways between Iran and the Gulf.
04
🚀 IEI Missile Guidance Systems
Sairan/IEI, the co-owner of MTN-Irancell's controlling 51%, manufactures the missile guidance systems used in Iranian ballistic missiles and drones including the Shahed family. The same corporate entity that processes telecoms data builds the weapons that struck US bases on 28 February 2026.
05
⚔️ Unified IRGC Command
Since January 2026, the network operations centre, data centre, and roaming infrastructure are all under the authority of IRGC Commander Mohammed Hossein Soleimaniyan. The offensive intelligence collection and the defensive information control (domestic blackout capability) operate under a single IRGC command. On 28 February, as missiles struck the Fifth Fleet, Irancell's network went dark to ~4% of normal levels.
06
🇨🇳 Huawei Kill Switch
A 🇨🇳 Huawei-supplied internet "kill switch" project, estimated at $700 million to $1 billion, is in its final stages at a fortified data centre near Tehran. Chinese firms including ZTE, Huawei, and Hikvision have supplied DPI (deep packet inspection), surveillance, and communications infrastructure to Iran.
The Personnel Network
The Names at Every Junction
The same names appear across the corporate structure, the political architecture, and the financial flows.
MTN Group Board Chairman from 2002 to May 2013, spanning the entire Project Snooker period. Founded Shanduka Group, which acquired a $335 million stake in MTN Nigeria via a 🇲🇺 Mauritius shell. Shanduka merged into Nhleko's Phembani Group in 2015. Now President of 🇿🇦 South Africa. Filed the ICJ genocide case against 🇮🇱 Israel. The DOJ investigation period coincides with his MTN chairmanship.
MTN CEO who signed the Letter Agreement with Sairan committing to "defensive, security and political cooperation." Orchestrated "heaven, earth, and fish." Founded Phembani Group, which absorbed Ramaphosa's Shanduka in 2015. Post-MTN: BP plc board, Anglo American board, Tullow Oil chairman, JSE Chairman (2022-present). The man who signed the military cooperation agreement with Iran's weapons factory now oversees the exchange that prices the company's shares.
Letter Agreement signatoryPhembani GroupJSE ChairmanBP Board
🇿🇦 Corporate • Denel Connection
Irene Charnley
MTN Commercial Director during Project Snooker. Faxed Denel CEO to arrange the Sairan helicopter meeting. "Boasted influential connections" to Denel, 🇿🇦 South Africa's state arms manufacturer. Left MTN reportedly worth $150M. Founded Smile Telecoms (🇲🇺 Mauritius-based). Served on the PIC board (the fund managing public servants' retirement savings).
Denel-Sairan liaisonSmile TelecomsPIC Board
🇿🇦 Advisory Board • Presidency • Nuclear
Thabo Mbeki
Chairman of MTN's International Advisory Board. As President, met with Hassan Rowhani in 2005 to discuss Iran's request for nuclear assistance and missile guidance technology (Al Jazeera Spy Cables, 2015). MTN funded Rowhani's travel to 🇿🇦 South Africa. Presided over the government that delivered the IAEA votes Iran needed.
MTN IAB ChairmanRowhani nuclear meetingSpy Cables
🇪🇬 Advisory Board • IAEA
Dr Mohammed ElBaradei
Former Director-General of the IAEA, the 🇺🇳 UN body responsible for nuclear inspections. Member of MTN's International Advisory Board. Ran the IAEA during the exact period when South Africa's votes were allegedly being traded for a telecoms licence. The former head of international nuclear inspections sat on the advisory board of a company whose Iranian partner is a subsidiary of Iran's Ministry of Defence.
MTN IAB memberIAEA DG 1997-2009Nobel Peace Prize
🇿🇦 Current MTN Chair • Washington Envoy
Mcebisi Jonas
Current MTN Group Chairman. Selected by Ramaphosa as 🇿🇦 South Africa's envoy to 🇺🇸 Washington, raising questions about whether the US government will engage diplomatically with the chairman of a company under DOJ grand jury investigation for funding designated terrorist organisations.
MTN ChairmanWashington envoyRamaphosa appointee
Active Legal Proceedings
Five Fronts, One Company
🇺🇸 Zobay v MTN Group
US Anti-Terrorism Act • $1B+ alleged
Families of 500+ American soldiers killed or injured in 🇮🇶 Iraq and 🇦🇫 Afghanistan allege MTN funnelled $1B+ to the IRGC and Hezbollah, funded weapons production, procured embargoed US technology. Amended complaint: 467 pages, filed August 2025.
🇺🇸 DOJ Grand Jury
Federal Criminal Investigation • Disclosed Aug 2025
Examining MTN's conduct in Afghanistan and its Irancell shareholding. Intelligence from months of Operation Epic Fury planning likely includes granular mapping of IRGC funding channels through MTN-Irancell.
🇹🇷 Turkcell / EAC v MTN
$4.2 Billion • SA SCA Greenlit Apr 2025
Alleges the Iranian licence was secured through bribery and promises of military technology. If heard on merits, potentially the most explosive corporate trial in 🇿🇦 South African history.
🇺🇸 Afghanistan Protection Payments
Anti-Terrorism Act • 385 claimants
Alleges MTN made "protection payments" to the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and Pakistani Taliban. Also deactivated cellular towers at night at Taliban request, preventing 🇺🇸 Coalition forces from tracking terrorists.
🇮🇪 ACS v MTN Group
~€4 Billion • Filed Jan 2026
Ireland's AC Shining Stars alleges unauthorized use of the "Mobile Money" trademark in 14 African countries. Not terrorism-related but adds to litigation burden. MTN CEO acknowledged awareness but did not disclose in financial statements.
Corporate Shell Architecture
The Offshore Map
MTN's 2013 annual report (Note 47) disclosed the full subsidiary list. This is an architecture designed for opacity, routing, and procurement across jurisdictions with minimal disclosure requirements.
🇻🇬 British Virgin Islands
11 shell companies
World's most opaque corporate secrecy jurisdiction. Includes Investcom entities, Easy Dial International, Starcom Global. Holding companies and "dormant" entities.
🇦🇪 Dubai / UAE
6 entities
Includes Global Sourcing Company, Global Trading Company, Telecom Sourcing Services. Same jurisdiction as Patco Group (embargoed equipment) and Aristo Oil ($400K bribe conduit). Bayobab also headquartered here.
🇵🇦 Panama
2 holding companies
Galactic Engineering Projects SA and Vernis Associates SA. Panama Papers jurisdiction.
🇱🇧 Lebanon
2 engineering entities
Inteltec Offshore SAL and Servico SAL. "Maintenance and engineering" in Hezbollah territory.
🇲🇺 Mauritius
4 investment vehicles
Offshore investment routing. Also used by Shanduka Telecommunications for Ramaphosa's MTN Nigeria shareholding.
🇮🇷 Iran-Specific Fronts
5 documented
Arya Hamrah (data centre camouflage), Patsa Co., Patco Group (🇦🇪 Dubai), Fakour Co., Shabakkat Cellular (🇰🇼 Kuwait). Procurement architecture for sanctions evasion.
Standard European holding structure for tax-efficient routing.
Sources
Court Filings: Turkcell/EAC v MTN, Case 1:12-cv-00479-RBW, US District Court, DC, filed 28 March 2012 (available on MTN's own website: mtn.com). Zobay v MTN, Case 1:22-cv-00829-RDM, Amended Complaint, filed 12 Aug 2025 (467 pages, terrorismcase.com). Chris Kilowan sworn deposition testimony (May 2012, reviewed by Reuters).
Investigative Reporting: National Security News (targeting chain, SPND-AI, IRGC CEO, warship-MTN link, shareholder killings, 2025-2026). AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism (Project Snooker deep dive). Mail & Guardian (second floor surveillance). BusinessDay (Michael Avery analysis). Daily Maverick (Iran exit analysis). TechCentral (Mupita results). Bloomberg (CEO ousting). Reuters (Project Snooker investigation, June 2012). The World from PRX (April 2012). BusinessTech (June 2012). American Enterprise Institute (March 2012).
Official Records: MTN Group Annual Report 2013, Note 47 (subsidiary list). US Treasury OFAC sanctions designations. MTN Group 2025 annual results. OpenSanctions MTN entry (UANI registry).
Intelligence Documents: Al Jazeera Spy Cables (2015). Paradise Papers. UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran) business registry.
Legal Analysis: FindLaw (Zobay jurisdictional ruling). Sparacino PLLC (Afghanistan cases). CNBC (protection payments). Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
All claims sourced from court filings, published reporting, official records, or documented intelligence materials. Allegations from named court proceedings are identified as such. This investigation is analytical and educational, not advocacy.
