In a significant crackdown on extremist organizations, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior has banned the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and its affiliated groups.

This decision follows extensive investigations that revealed the IZH's connections to the Iranian regime and its support for the terrorist organization Hezbollah.

Early on July 24, police conducted raids at the IZH's headquarters, known as the Blue Mosque, and in several other locations across eight federal states.

The IZH has been under surveillance since 1993, with authorities citing its promotion of anti-Semitism and extremist ideologies.

The ban aims to dismantle Islamist networks and secure evidence against the organization, which has been described as a significant propaganda tool for Iran in Europe.