Despite the fact that high-ranking official corruption is one of the regime’s worst-kept secrets, the new material is shocking and shines a light on areas of state-run corruption and theft that dwarf previously known facts.
The regime was compelled to acknowledge the authenticity of a leaked audio file from a conversation between two senior Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) commanders in 2018 nearly a week after it revealed devastating disclosures about financial corruption at the highest echelons of power in Iran.
The audio file was initially questioned by regime officials and the media, who claimed it was fabricated. The regime’s media shifted its tone after it became clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that the file was genuine, claiming that the audio file was not new and had previously been published. On February 14, Keyhan, the regime’s mouthpiece, declared that the file proved “the level of responsibility and accountability of Revolutionary Guards’ officials.”
Despite the fact that high-ranking official corruption is one of the regime’s worst-kept secrets, the new material is shocking and shines a light on areas of state-run corruption and theft that dwarf previously known facts.”If we calculate the value of the assets of [Tehran] municipality, which were fully put at the disposal of Rasatejarat company [a subsidiary of the IRGC-run Yas Holding] based on the dollar exchange rate at the time, it would be worth $2 trillion,” an expert told the state-run Sharq daily on February 13.
The regime’s media shifted its tone after it became clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that the file was genuine, claiming that the audio file was not new and had previously been published.
This demonstrates that the Tehran municipality, as well as other municipal organs, have become the IRGC’s and its officials’ hunting grounds. In Iran, municipal civil service provides a possibility to embezzle millions of dollars. This explains why millions of destitute people are being pushed out of Tehran and into slums, despite the fact that 2.5 million homes remain vacant in the city.
What’s more astonishing is that this major scandal has been treated as routine by regime officials. There is no evidence of a court investigation. Officials and the media are solely concerned about the audio file’s security and how much material was released.
The managing editor of Keyhan, Hossein Shariatmadari, attempted to sugarcoat the realities revealed in the audio file, stating, “The IRGC Quds Force was expected to have a portion from the revenue of [Rasatejarat].” What is wrong with these revelations? Qassem Soleimani was receiving a share [of the revenue] for the Quds force, and what did he spend it on?”
What is wrong with these revelations? Qassem Soleimani was receiving a share [of the revenue] for the Quds force, and what did he spend it on?”
However, the regime’s casual attitude toward these egregious incidents of corruption and embezzlement is far from being reflective of stability and strength. Corruption has weakened the regime to the point where it can no longer fight it. Meanwhile, every new disclosure fuels the fire of protests to overthrow the regime among millions of Iranians who have been the primary victims of official corruption.
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