A report by Bulletin News claims an influential economic-political network has expanded its reach into Iran’s oil sector, regulatory bodies, and foreign financial operations amid ongoing corruption concerns.
A report published by the Iranian website Bulletin News (Bolten News) has alleged the existence of a powerful economic-political network that has steadily expanded its influence across Iran’s oil industry, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and overseas commercial operations.
The report, published inside Iran, describes a far-reaching network that allegedly seeks not only to accumulate wealth but also to consolidate political power by influencing key state institutions. While the publication does not identify the individuals leading the network, it portrays the organization as deeply embedded within strategic sectors of the regime.
Alleged Expansion from Domestic Industries to the Oil Sector
According to Bulletin News, the network initially accumulated wealth through privileged access to major industries, including automobile manufacturing, urban development projects, municipal institutions, real estate, refineries, and petrochemical companies.
“The objective of this network is not merely economic gain, but also the acquisition of political power through influence over key institutions.”
The report claims that after building substantial financial resources, the network shifted its attention toward Iran’s oil and energy sectors, seeking greater control over one of the regime’s most valuable sources of revenue.
Pursuing Political Influence
The report alleges that the group’s ambitions extend well beyond business interests.
According to the publication, members of the network have attempted to influence municipal council elections, parliamentary contests, and presidential elections in order to strengthen their political leverage.
It also claims that gaining influence within economic ministries—particularly the Ministry of Oil—as well as within the Central Bank has been a strategic priority aimed at increasing control over Iran’s foreign exchange market.
Alleged Penetration of Oversight Institutions
One of the report’s most striking allegations concerns the regime’s oversight agencies.
Bulletin News claims the network has systematically sought influence within institutions responsible for protecting public assets and investigating corruption.
“Institutions responsible for safeguarding public resources have, through lobbying and financial influence, drifted away from their primary responsibilities.”
The publication further alleges that hundreds of individuals have been recruited into government positions through recommendations from politically connected figures and members of parliament, creating networks of loyalty that can be used to exert pressure inside state institutions.
The report also claims that proposed parliamentary legislation intended to strengthen oversight laws and reduce the influence of powerful interest groups was ultimately removed from the legislative agenda following extensive lobbying and unofficial negotiations.
Pressure on National Iranian Oil Company Officials
The report devotes significant attention to alleged attempts to influence senior officials at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
According to Bulletin News, members of the network have attempted to pressure oil executives through summonses, written pledges, and regulatory investigations designed to force management to comply with their demands.
Among the information allegedly sought by the group were:
- Details of cooperation between the National Iranian Oil Company and military institutions.
- The identities of Iranian oil buyers.
- Information regarding pricing discounts offered to customers.
- Methods used to circumvent international sanctions.
The publication further alleges that the network sought the dismissal of NIOC’s deputy for international affairs and its chief financial officer in order to install officials more closely aligned with its interests.
Corruption Allegations Surround Oil Revenues
The report links these developments to broader concerns surrounding corruption in companies acting as intermediaries in Iranian oil sales.
It notes that these allegations emerged alongside reports concerning so-called “trustee companies” involved in handling oil revenues, with billions of dollars reportedly failing to return to Iran.
Earlier this month, Iran’s State Inspection Organization announced that one intermediary responsible for transferring oil revenues had allegedly left the country after failing to return approximately $200 million belonging to Iran.
The case has become part of a wider series of investigations involving informal financial networks established to move oil revenues under international sanctions.
Alleged Overseas Financial Network
According to Bulletin News, the network’s activities extend beyond Iran’s borders.
The report alleges that some members—or their relatives—have transferred assets to Germany, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where they established commercial, service, and energy-related companies.
Among the firms mentioned are:
- Mehdi’s Limousinen und Taxi Service
- Digital System Consulting
- DPH Petro Handel
- KOMAcons
The publication alleges that repeated changes in company ownership and management were intended to conceal the identities of the ultimate beneficiaries and the origins of invested capital.
UAE-Based Influence Operations Alleged
The report also names an individual identified as Malek Barazjani, reportedly known by the aliases “Malek Elahi” and “Abu Khalil.”
According to Bulletin News, he allegedly established an influence network in the United Arab Emirates that gathered sensitive information on managers and intermediaries involved in oil transactions.
The publication claims this information was transferred to intelligence networks operating in the UAE and contributed to the detention of individuals and the seizure of assets connected to the Iranian regime.
It further alleges that a trustee company affiliated with Shahr Bank became one of the network’s targets, resulting in the seizure of millions of UAE dirhams in assets. The report also refers to the transfer of several high-value properties in Dubai’s City Walk district to individuals allegedly linked to the network.
Renewed Focus on Systemic Corruption
The report concludes by calling on the Iranian parliament’s Article 90 Commission and the regime’s security agencies to investigate oversight institutions, appointments within the oil industry, intermediary companies involved in oil exports, and the financial activities of overseas entities connected to Iranian interests.
Although the allegations have not been independently verified, the publication is notable because it originates from within Iran and highlights growing disputes over corruption, patronage, and competing power centers inside the regime.
The accusations also come amid years of reports pointing to entrenched corruption within state institutions, including repeated allegations that politically connected networks have exploited sanctions, opaque financial channels, and the oil sector to accumulate wealth and influence.
