In a bold move on Tuesday, February 13, the dissident group Ghiam Sarnegouni, which translates to “Rise to Overthrow” in Persian, penetrated the Iranian regime’s parliamentary systems, unveiling a trove of classified documents.
These documents, shared on the group’s Telegram channel and X account, shed light on a clandestine operation by the regime’s armed forces to infiltrate and control the automotive industry one of Iran’s most vital economic sectors.
Among the exposed materials, a letter from the Deputy for Strategic Affairs and Supervision at the General Staff of the Armed Forces to the Supreme Leader stood out. It criticized the management changes at Iran Khodro, the country’s premier automaker, including the controversial transfer to Crouse Company and the dubious sale of a significant share to the Bahman Group by the Export Bank. These actions were deemed unlawful, highlighting a deep-seated corruption within the industry.
The trial of Crouse Company, involving dual-citizen defendants Hamid Keshavarz (American) and Mohammad Alipour Fetrati (Canadian), commenced in 2023, overseen by Judge Abolqasem Salavati at the Special Court for Economic Offenses.
Mostafa Izadi, the Deputy for Strategic Affairs and Supervision, pointed out in the documents that the judiciary has turned a blind eye to the illegal activities of the Crouse Company, including smuggling, bribery, and forgery, ostensibly because of its large workforce.
Furthermore, the indictment against the Crouse Manufacturing Company highlighted its status as the largest beneficiary of state currency, accused of overcharging the automakers by about $220 million above market prices for parts between 2016 and 2019.
Izadi’s correspondence with Supreme Leader Khamenei described the sanctions on the automotive industry as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the Islamic Republic. He cited the mismanagement of sanctions and the inflated pricing of domestically produced cars as key factors in the economic turmoil facing the industry, leading to significant financial losses and potentially sparking public unrest and widespread unemployment.
To prevent further damage, Izadi recommended appointing investors and managers loyal to the regime’s goals, emphasizing the military’s role in securing key economic contracts. This move, he argued, was essential to stabilizing the industry and mitigating security risks.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Intelligence Organization revealed during the trial that over three billion tomans in bribes were paid to Hossein Fereydoun, brother of former President Hassan Rouhani, implicating the regime in the corruption scandal.
Iran Khodro and SAIPA, two of the country’s leading automakers, reported staggering financial losses in their latest quarterly reports, underscoring the severity of the situation. Iran Khodro’s losses surged by 41% in just nine months, while SAIPA experienced a 26% increase in losses since the beginning of the year, illustrating the dire financial straits of Iran’s automotive sector amidst ongoing corruption and mismanagement.
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