The corruption case in Iran’s ports has once again become one of the controversial issues in the regime’s parliament. According to Didban Iran website, during the parliament’s virtual session on Tuesday, September 1, the members reviewed a report by the parliament’s Civil Engineering Commission concerning a request to investigate and audit the performance of the Ports and Maritime Organization. The request was approved with 152 votes in favor, 27 against, and eight abstentions, out of 245 members present.
Majlis member Moslem Salehi has reported financial irregularities at some of the country’s ports. He said that at certain points, more than 1 trillion rials had been withdrawn from financial accounts. Salehi also spoke of weak internal controls and regulatory gaps. He called for a thorough review of the financial processes and monetary systems of the Ports and Maritime Organization.
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However, the published documents raise more serious questions. An audit report has reported an embezzlement of 1.08 trillion rials at the port known as Imam Khomeini Port. The same report also pointed to weak oversight of the banking payment process.
Foreign-Currency Revenues and Questions About the Flow of Money
The Ports and Maritime Organization receives revenues and fees from the activities of foreign vessels. Part of these revenues is received in foreign currency. This makes oversight of the ports’ financial flows all the more important. Salehi has called for transparency regarding how foreign-currency revenues are held, transferred, and settled. He also emphasized compliance with the Central Bank’s foreign-exchange regulations. Under such circumstances, the central question is clear.
An audit report identified approximately 12.958 trillion rials in commercial receivables and other outstanding claims. A significant portion of these claims was owed by various companies. The report also stated that there were no valid guarantees for part of these receivables.
The 2,400-Hectare Lands: Another Part of the Ports Corruption Case
The corruption case in the ports is not limited to bank accounts. Port lands are also a major focus of the investigation and audit. One of the cases under review concerns the 2,400 hectares of land at Rajaei Port. Salehi has raised questions about how these lands were allocated and managed. The qualifications of the investors and the extent to which they fulfilled their commitments must also be examined. But the audit report raises an even more important point.
According to the report, 676 hectares of the so-called 2,400-hectare lands were occupied by others. The same document also reported the absence of ownership documents for part of the reclaimed lands at several ports. The total area of these lands was reported as 821.3 hectares.
Investigation and Audit: Why Have the Answers Not Been Provided?
Another major aspect of the ports corruption case is the lengthy process of investigation and audit. Salehi said the request has been pending since 2024. According to him, meetings were held with the former managers of the Ports and Maritime Organization. However, the documents requested by the lawmakers were not provided. If these statements are accurate, the issue is not merely financial misconduct. It also concerns the accountability of the managers and responsible institutions.
In this regard, a maritime transportation industry expert also questioned the outcome of the investigation and audit of the Ports and Maritime Organization in 2024. He had spoken of the need for transparency and accountability among the organization’s managers.
These are no longer ordinary management questions. The issue concerns the fate of public resources and the responsibility of those charged with overseeing them.
