Astan Quds Razavi – Report

# Overview

The leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolution used bonyads, Farsi for “foundation,” to nationalize private businesses and take control of state-run industries after seizing power in 1979. Putting companies under a bonyad offered the revolution’s leaders the ability to seize control of the economy under the “veneer” of charitable organizations.

Astan Quds Razavi is a bonyad based at Mashhad, Iran. It is the administrative organization which manages the Imam Reza shrine and various institutions which belong to the organization. The administrative apparatus of Astan Quds Razavi is considered the longest-lasting organization since the martyrdom of Imam Reza about 1200 years ago. The main resource of the institution is endowments, estimated to have annual revenue of $210 billion. The Astan Quds Razavi is a major player in the economy of the city of Mashhad. Since the revolution the Astan-e-Qods the bonyad has grown from a “modest concern” into a conglomerate employing 19,000 people and running “auto plants, agricultural businesses, and many other enterprises”. The land occupied by the shrine has grown fourfold since 1979 according to the head of the foundation’s international relations department. The foundation owns most of the real estate in Mashhad and rents out shop space to bazaaris and hoteliers.[wikipedia]

AQR manages all the financial endowments accrued over centuries, and the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, appoints its custodian. In the last 40 years, only three individuals have held this position. Only the Supreme Leader has the authority to financially audit this financial empire that employs tens of thousands of people. The organization enjoys tax exemption; its assets include 50 large companies and 43 percent of Mashhad real estate, the second-most populous city in Iran. In other words, AQR owns over 13,000 acres of land in Mashhad alone. This organization has full independence in the petroleum operations it controls. It has exclusive oil rigs and profits from its own imports and exports. Astan-e Quds Razavi also owns a part of Iran’s railroads and industries such as Mobarakeh Steel, as well as a large portion of the country’s mines and resources. This is only a part of its overall possessions. Starting some years ago, Astan-e Quds Razavi became active in construction outside Iran. Its overseas projects include the construction of a bridge over the Euphrates for one kilometer inside Syria.

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Astan Quds Razavi – InfoAstan Quds Razavi Connected toAstan Quds Razavi Involved In

# Key people

Ayatollah Abbas Vaez-Tabasi, had been the head of Astan-e-Qods from the revolution until his death in 2016. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi succedded him in March 2016 and hold office until April 2019. Finally, the supreme leader of Iran, Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed Ahmad Marvi as the new chief of this Bonyad instead of Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi; and Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi became the Chief Justice of Iran.

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, who some consider the supreme leader’s heir apparent, controlled the Astan Quds Razavi bonyad for nearly three years before he was replaced in April. One year after taking control, Khamenei supported him in his run against President Hassan Rouhani in 2017. In May, he made Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi the head of Iran’s judicial council, a move largely seen as a way to groom him to become the next supreme leader.

# Ebrahim Raisi connections with IRGC

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s personal *network runs deep as well, and has served him well throughout his career and rise as a top contender for Supreme Leadership. Influential regime figures in Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s personal and political network expedited his promotion within Iranian politics. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi studied at the Qom Shia Seminary. He also studied at Shahid Motahhari University and graduated with a Ph.D. in Islamic Jurisprudence. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi established a close personal network with other clerics from his studies at the Qom Seminary, including Khamenei and Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi attended lectures taught by Khamenei and Hamedani.

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s political network is not limited to influential clerics, and his ties extend to the IRGC. Former IRGC Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari, Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, and former Basij Organization Commander Mohammad Reza Naghdi expressed their support for Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi by *attending his appointment ceremony as Astan Quds Razavi Custodian. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi also *maintains a close friendship with Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a former Tehran Mayor and the former Commander of the IRGC’s engineering wing, Khatam Al Anbiya Construction Headquarters. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s religious credentials do not grant him the title of “Ayatollah,” but IRGC officials *address him as such, likely as an attempt to boost his legitimacy.

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi has also played a key role in suppressing anti-regime movements and quelling protesters, a stance that makes him desirable to the IRGC and regime hardliners. Founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini appointed Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and three others to a judicial committee to prosecute political prisoners in 1988. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s committee oversaw the execution of thousands of political prisoners, most of whom were members of the People’s Mojahedin of Iran faction. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi suppressed reformist demonstrators following Iran’s Green Revolution protests in 2009, after the fraudulent reelection of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi helped order the house arrest of Green Revolution leaders. During Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s appointment as a Special Clerical Court Prosecutor, he jailed clerics who voiced their criticism against the regime. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s adjudications against anti-regime sentiments and criticism impressed the IRGC. The IRGC lent its support to Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s 2017 presidential candidacy by detaining online reformist political activists.

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s track record suggests that his potential installation as Iran’s next Supreme Leader is unlikely to drive Iran towards any positive outcomes. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s suppression of reformist voices and judicial executions of those who challenge the regime’s idealogy underscore his hardliner nature. His deep ties to the IRGC and his managerial experience at over Astan Quds Razavi’s economic empire grant Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi significant personal and power networks. An Islamic Republic with Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi as its Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief will continue its destabilizing regional activities and continue policies that enable the IRGC and clerical leaders in Iran to dominate the political space in Iran against the interests of the U.S. and our regional allies.[criticalthreats]

# Ahmad Marvi

In April 2019, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, appointed Ahmad Marvi to be the Custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi; a multi-billion-dollar trust only for the holy shrine of the eighth Imam of Shi’a Islam, in the city of Mashad, in northeastern Iran’s Khorasan province. Ahmad Marvi has held various posts in Khamenei’s offices overseeing various religious observances. Ahmad Marvi also served as political deputy of the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office between 1980 and 1985. Ahmad Marvi considers his most important duty, however, to be creating an image of Khamenei as a kindly, mystical and even sacred person. In that regard, Ahmad Marvi also strongly advocates for Khamenei’s sons. He usually speaks on three topics: living a simple life; tolerance for criticism; and the sons of the Supreme Leader.

Marvi’s positions, on all issues, are completely in line with Khamenei’s, sometimes even sharper than his. Ahmad Marvi regularly uses the regime leader’s favorite words, such as “enemy” and “insight.” He explicitly states that “all affairs should be in line with the views of his eminence the Supreme Leader;” and there is currently a kind of “emotional bond between the Guardian Jurist and the people.” He regards Khamenei’s position as equal to that of the first Shi’a Imam, and calls for absolute compliance with the Supreme Leader’s injunctions.

Like his leader, Ahmad Marvi says that the condition of women under the Islamic regime is highly desirable, as opposed to their conditions in the West: “We must ask questions about the rights of women in the Western world, and not be answerable to the West. We must drag them to court because they have done a great deal of harm to a large section of society.” Ahmad Marvi is also strongly opposed to technology and other manifestations of the modern world, as Khamenei is. He regards “promoting the satellite, the Internet, cyberspace and social networks” as “an enemy conspiracy to spread moral and cultural laxity in society,” and in contrast believes that the contemporary youth must have “insight.” While fully at the beck and call of the Supreme Leader, since July 2008, Ahmad Marvi has become a member of the central council of the “Combatant Clerics’ Society,” the political party of conservative clerics.

Ahmad Marvi is definitely one of the people who, behind the scenes, play a significant role in Iranian politics, and its’ backroom machinations. Marvi’s closeness to Khamenei and his children makes him a figure that cannot be ignored when analyzing the Islamic regime.

# Astan Quds Razavi connection to the terrorist organization IRGC

Astan Quds Razavi, which had the current Chief Justice, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, at its head until recently, is a massive business corporation with a real-estate portfolio worth an estimated $20 billion, which effectively functions as a slush fund for Iran’s supreme leader. Last year, the foundation established a new bonyad called the Keramat Bonyad which took the connection between the foundation and the IRGC to a whole new level. The head of this Bonyad is Hossein Yekta, the former Commander of the Khatam al-Osya Headquarters, which works under the Khatam Al Anbiya Construction Headquarters.

The Bonyad works under the banner of “fighting poverty” but actually has extensive economic activities with reports of links to millions of dollars in embezzlement.

Therefore, the new designation will curb the Guards economic power extended through all its corporations and state-run bonyads and will effectively curtail the regime’s malicious internal and external activities.

# Astan Quds Razavi connection with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

“Astan Quds Razavi” is under the control and supervision of the Iranian regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. No one is allowed to question this huge financial system, and it is exempt from paying taxes.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly appoints the heads of many of Iran’s largest bonyads, including the Mashhad-based Astan Quds Razavi. Astan Quds Razavi nominally manages Iran’s holiest site, the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. However, its oft-furtive business interests extend well beyond Mashhad. Khamenei appoints trusted confidants and loyalists for these sensitive posts, similar to IRGC senior commands. In fact, Astan Quds Razavi’s former custodian Hojjat ol Eslam Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi is a top contender to replace Khamenei as Iran’s next supreme leader, partly because of his experience overseeing Quds Razavi’s enormous empire.

# Astan Quds Razavi’s Economic Network of Companies and Holdings

Astan Quds Razavi is one the regime’s most vital and well-entrenched economic organs. Is custodianship of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad is complemented by its ownership of diversified financial interests in various sectors of Iran’s economy. its economic interests are handled chiefly via its economic wing, the Razavi Economic Organizaiton (REO).

Astan Quds Razavi manages the Imam Reza shrine, Iran’s holiest religious site and the world’s largest mosque. Unofficially, it is a convenient front for the Razavi Economic Organization, which controls shares and business interests in at least 70 companies across multiple industries, including energy, construction, agriculture, medicine, and finance. Whoever is in charge of it has remarkable economic power.

Astan Quds Razavi maintains a vast network of companies through its economic wing, the Razavi Economic Organization“>Razavi Economic Organization (REO). REO’s diverse and far-reaching commercial interests are active in nearly every sector of the Iranian economy, including construction, heavy manufacturing, oil and gas, transportation, financial services, information technology, sugar and yeast production, and carpet manufacturing. Its companies also operate regionally, including in Syria and Iraq. These companies significantly extend the reach of Astan Quds Razavi far beyond the confines of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. Astan Quds Razavi’s commercial interests also extend into the senior echelons of the Iranian government, underscoring Astan Quds Razavi’s role as a vital economic artery for regime officials. Quds Razavi also maintains immediate and verifiable ties to the IRGC and already-sanctioned entities. Astan Quds Razavi likely is involved in sanctionable activities and likely operates as a conduit for the regime to evade US sanctions through its vast and global economic network.

Key REO whole subsidiaries and partially owned companies include:

# Quds Razavi Bread Company

Quds Razavi Bread Company (Naan-e Razavi) offers various food goods such as baked goods and cakes that are common throughout Iran. Its products are also found regionally, including in Afghanistam, Pakistan and Iraq. Razavi Bread Company als omaintains more than 20 international representative offices.

Quds Razavi Bread Company’s Global Business Focus

In fact, Razavi Bread Company’s website claims to have a representative office in California.

Astan Quds Razavi office in California

Razvi Bread Compan’s global reach is note-worthy and reveals Astan Quds Razavi‘s internationally focused business interests, even for less conspicious business interests.

# Razavi Oil and Gas Development Company (Private Shares)

Razavi Oil and Gas Development Company is Astan Quds Razavi‘s energy-focused subsidiary under its energy holdings. Razavi Oil and Gas maintains ongoing projects in northeastern Iran, sourhern Iran, Iraq and Malasyia. Razavi Oil and Gas Development Company is partner with NIOC.

Razavi Oil and Gas Development Company – Partners

The National Iranian Oil Company, a government-owned corporation under the direction of the Ministry of Petroleum of Iran, is a national oil and natural gas producer and distributor headquartered in Tehran. Has provided support to the IRGC; has awarded contracts to Khatam Al Anbiya Construction Headquarters, a construction and development wing of the IRGC;

# Shahab Khodro Company

Shahab Khodro Company manufactures buses and trucks. According to its webiste some of its most imporant customers include the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, the Artesh Navy and Khatam Al Anbiya Construction Headquarters.

Shahab Khodro Company – Customers

Shahab Khodro Company also seeks to establish a foothold in the reion alonside other Iranian vehicle manufacturers, such as SAIPA. Shahab Khodro Company has a booth in the Iran Pavilion of the 59th International Damascus Fair.

Shahab Khodro – Foreign Partners

Foreign Partners of Shahab Khodro are: Leyland, Man (Germany), ZF (Germany), Voith (Germany), Young Man (China), Asia Star, Valeo (France), Bode (Spain), Renault;

# Razavi Information and Communication Technology Company

FAVA Razavi is Astan Quds Razavi‘s telecommunication and computer services provider. FAVA Razavi develops software and hardware for information and communication techonologies for use in Iran, both for private companies and those in the Astan Quds Razavi network. FAVA Razavi sells servers and hosting platforms.

# Quds Razavi Housing and Construction Company

Quds Razavi Housing and Construction Company is Astan Quds Razavi‘s larger and more active civil construction company alongside its Razavi International Construction Company (Private Shares). Quds Razavi Housing and Construction COmpany operates both in Iran and internationally. Razavi Housing and Construction participated in the construction of a rail project as the primary contractor for the erection of a bridge across the Euphrates River in Syria. The project was completed in 2010.

# MAPNA Group Company

Astan Quds Razavi once had a 47 percent stake in MAPNA Group before it divested its majority share to the Energy Ministry-owned SABA Water and Power Industries Investment Company. Despite its ostensible divestment of shares and interest, Astan Quds Razavi still holds considerable interest in this prominent Iranian engineering conglomerate. Astan Quds Razavi holds two of the five board-of-director seats for MAPNA Group and MAPNA Group‘s current managing director serves on the board of directors for REO.

More unapparent, the current majority shareholder of MAPNA Group, SABA Water and Power Industries Investment Company, is effectively dominated by Astan Quds Razavi. Four of the five board seats for SABA Water and Power Industries Investment Company are filled by and Astan Quds Razavi subsidiary, including the already-sanctioned Mahab Ghods Engineering Consultancy Company.

Additionally, Alireza Khojasteh Vahab Zadeh a current board of directors member for MAPNA Group is a known Astan Quds Razavi associate and serves on the board of directors for Razavi Supply Chain Management Company (Private Shares), a subsidiary of REO.

MAPNA Group is involved in power plant construction, energy and transportation projects. Canada has sanctioned MAPNA Group over its procurement of dual-use technologies tied to Iran’s weapons of mass destruction program.

MAPNA Group is heavily involved in energy and power plant projects in the region, including in Syria and Iraq. MAPNA Group‘s managing director Abbas Ali Abadi met with Syrian Electricity Minister Mohammad Zuhair Kharboutli during his visit to Tehran in September 2018 and signed a memorandum of understtanding to construct a power generation station in Latakia Province. MAPNA Group maintains multiple global offices, including in Algeria, Indonesia, Syria and Turkey.

MAPNA Group also maintains close ties to the IRGC. It worked together with IRGC-owned engineering giant Khatam Al Anbiya Construction Headquarters to construct a refinery in Phase 13 of the South Pars Gas Field in March 2019. Its former Managing Director Mousa Refan, served as the Islamic Republic of Iran’s first IRGC Aerospace Force commander. Refan played a key role in the IRGC‘s missile and drone research during the Iran-Iraq War, too.

MAPNA Group also maintains close ties to the regime and the Office of the Supreme Leader. Mofid Raahbar Auditing Institution, which services institutions of the Office of the Supreme Leader, serves as the official auditor of MAPNA Group. MAPNA Group Oil and Gas Division deputy Seyyed Nasrallah Hezaveh stated that MAPNA Group “considers itself as tied to the state”. Moreover, MAPNA Group employees were present for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s speech to Iranian workers on April 24 following the Trump administration’s decision not to extend the eight significant reduction exemptions for Iranian oil exports.

MAPNA Group‘s relevance to the regime is undeniable. Its ties to Astan Quds Razavi are readily apparent, too.

# Corruption

Another mistake this time on Astan Quds Razavi – Some sources say that Mehdi Azizian, a former deputy of Astan Quds Razavi and his brother-in-law, Ayatollah Vaez Tabasi, had left the former Astan Quds Razavi prison after being embezzled.

Astan Qods Razavi and Khatam al-Anbiya are Required to Hand in Tax Statements – MPs compelled holy doors and construction sites to pay taxes on direct taxes in the next year, along with a tax return.

# Astan Quds Razavi connection to New Horizon Organization

On February 13, 2019, the U.S. State Department sanctioned two institutions and 9 individuals affiliated to the Iranian regime. One of these two institutions was the “New Horizon Organization” (In Farsi it is called Ofogh No Organization). Nader Talebzadeh and Zainab Mohana Talebzadeh were among the sanctioned individuals. Talebzadeh cooperates with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) organization of electronic war and defense.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) supports the New Horizon institution, and authorities have admitted to its liaison with the Khamenei’s office. Its main task is providing cultural cover for the Quds Force’s terrorist acts and obtaining security intelligence. This is accomplished, for instance, by holding “conferences” and other events to recruit agents for the IRGC’s Quds Force and obtain information from foreign citizens.

New Horizon also uses foreign agents to produce and disseminate material for the regime’s demonization campaign against the Iranian opposition, particularly the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, Mujahedin-e Khalq or MEK). For instance, during the sixth conference of New Horizon that was held in Mashhad on May 2018, representatives of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) advocated and distributed several books and publications of the MOIS against the MEK in English and also used the event to tarnish the image of the MEK and also briefed the individuals who were brought to the conference by the regime and tarnished the image of the MEK.

On February 13, 2019, U.S. officials declared that the Iranian regime had recruited Monica Witt, a former the United States Air Force intelligence officer, with access to classified intelligence. She now cooperates with the mullahs’ regime in an extensive operation targeting her former intelligence colleagues. U.S. attorneys issued an arrest warrant for Monica Witt based on 18 charges including espionage, fraud, aiding and abetting a foreign state.

The IRGC’s Quds Force recruited Ms. Witt following her participation in two international conferences the New Horizon held in support of the IRGC’s Quds Force. Monica Witt, who later chose the name “Fatemeh Zahra” went to Iran to participate in the IRGC’s “Hollywoodism” conference held under the New Horizon’s cover in January 2012.

Iran’s intelligence services recruited Monica Witt through the “New Horizon” institution in 2013. Monica Witt attended another “Hollywoodism” conference at the Parsian Azadi Hotel in February 2013. On August 28, 2013, Monica Witt went to Iran. Immediately after arriving in Iran, immediately upon her arrival in Iran, Monica Witt was furnished with housing and computer equipment in order to facilitate her work on behalf of the regime.

According to the U.S. officials, she immediately started her cooperation with the regime and provided the Iranian regime with classified information, including real names of U.S. intelligence resources. Notably, Astan-e Quds Razavi financed the New Horizon seminars and meetings that prepared the ground for Monica Witt recruitment.

According to the organizers like Nader Talebzadeh, AQR financed the New Horizon’s 6th international conference held in May 2018. making it the New Horizon’ de facto sponsor. According to the organizers, 60 political, security, and military personalities from other countries participated in this conference held in Mashhad under the name of “Quds, the everlasting capital of Palestine.” [source+]

# Astan Quds Razavi connection to the terrorist organizations

Astan-e Quds Razavi has played an active role in providing financial, material and logistical support to fundamentalist and terrorist groups within the last few years. Particularly, the heads of AQR have vast relations with Hezbollah’s top officials. It is worth noting that these activities within the past few years have been expanding.

For example, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, the custodian of Astan-e Quds (now the regime’s judiciary chief), personally visited Lebanon at the end of January 2018 and met Hezbollah leaders, including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. He also visited Hezbollah’s military positions in southern Lebanon. ]The U.S. Department of Treasury placed Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi on its sanctions list on November 5, 2019]

Raisi met with the family members of the highest-ranking commanders Hezbollah involved in the regime’s terrorist operations, who were killed and expressed his support of them. These include Imad Mughniyeh, the second-in-command of Hezbollah and its former military commander, who was personally involved in some major terrorist operations against western targets such as the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985, killing U.S. Navy personnel, and planning bombings at the U.S. Embassy and Marine Base in 1983.

During his meeting with Nasrallah, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi said that the Hezbollah Secretary-General and Commander Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC’s terrorist Quds Force, have a lot in common.
Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, also visited the Lebanese head of the Shi’ite’s Assembly, Abdul Amir Qablan and said, “The Zionist regime because of its terrorist nature was highly inclined to ISIS to be formed as the second center of state terrorism in the region, but the resistance front neutralized the plot promptly. God willing, the first center of terrorism will have the same fate.”

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi also stressed the necessity of Astan-e Quds’ cultural presence in Lebanon and its work with Lebanese cultural centers, which are in fact paving the way for the regime to recruit agents. He said, “Now in the world, a new civilization in the name of Islam is on the verge of creation, so the scholars should take the maximum advantage in this field.”

On the occasion of his first 200 days as custodian of AQR, on August 14, 2016, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi held a program called “Celebration of Islamic Resistance,” which opened with a message from Hassan Nasrallah.

On September 2nd of that year, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi met with Akram al-Kaabi, the leader of the Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba. Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency quoted Akram al-Kaabi as saying, “During the presence of American forces in Iraq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, conducted 3,000 operations against these occupier forces and the footage is still available.” Underlining the importance of Iran’s support of the so-called resistance groups, he continued: “The fighters of the Islamic resistance in Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba were trained and equipped by Iran. In this way, they have gained a lot of experience on the battlefield.”

The U.S. included Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and its leader Akram al-Kaabi in its sanctions list on March 5, 2019. On July 14, 2019, a delegation of the AQR Met with Qais al-Khazali, leader of the terrorist group of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq in Iraq. According to the group’s official website, the delegation praised Qais al-Khazali for his so-called “defense of the rights of the Islamic Ummah” and gave him an Astan-e Quds’ flag.

Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and Qais al-Khazali have both been on the U.S. sanctions list for years.

Astan-e Quds Razavi, also supports family members of Iranian agents who have been killed, including members of terrorist groups like Hezbollah, as well as agents in Iraqi, Syria, Nigeria, and so on. The regime organizes pilgrimage and tourism in Iran and uses this for further terrorist and extremist recruitment.

According to state-run daily Quds Online on May 11, 2019, Ahmad Marvai, the current custodian of AQR, met with a number of dead Hezbollah operatives’ family members and said, “Hezbollah, with its prowess, faith, faithful members and martyrs, has been able to cast away the sleep from the eyes of Israel.” He continued, “There is no distance between us and Hezbollah in Lebanon, other than geographic distance. We pray for martyrs of Lebanese Hezbollah and for the wellbeing and prosperity of Mr. Seyed Hassan Nasrallah. We hope that the almighty God adds to the glory and power of Hezbollah and all Shiite Muslims every day.”

According to Astan-e News, the web site of AQR, a group of 35 family members of Hezbollah and 28 family members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Force who were killed had their pilgrimage to Mashhad O Dec 11, 2018, during the pilgrimage that was paid by AQR, the shrine was illuminated for them. The families participated in various cultural and religious programs provisioned by the management of AQR.

On another occasion, some 400 foreign guests, including the regime’s foreign mercenaries in Syria, whom AQR described as ‘Activists of the Symbolic Resistance Front,’ attended the Fajr Awakening conference on February 13, 2018.

On August 14, 2016, Astan-e Quds Razavi held its first ‘Conference on the Holy Shrines of the Islamic World’ with the goal of “laying the groundwork for a united front for the Islamic nation,” “strengthening the resistance’s ranks,” “spreading the martyrdom culture,” and “persistence and creating an atmosphere for protecting religious shrines and pilgrims.” The regime’s mercenaries from Iraq and Syria were brought in for the event.

Astan-e Quds Razavi organized the ‘Under the Sun’ propaganda plan that complemented visits by agents and potential agents to Astan-e Quds. Under this plan, which aims to spread Islamic extremism and identify potential spies, extremists, and terrorists, delegations make their way from Astan-e Quds to other countries in pursuit of the regime’s agenda. The ‘Under the Sun’ delegations have visited a number of provinces in Lebanon and Syria.

In August 2016, Javad Mohammadi-Faz, the head of Astan-e Quds’ delegation in Lebanon, admitted that they were hosted by Hezbollah’s youth branch and that all the coordination for the trip took place in Syria and Lebanon via Khamenei’s Office. In Syria, this delegation took part in collecting donations (funds for the Zeinabis or Qobar Rubi) and visited the regime’s mercenaries on the war fronts.

Based on the remarks of AQR officials and the organization’s public information, ‘Under the Sun’ delegations have taken part in special events in more than 20 Asian, African and European countries including Lebanon, Iraq, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Georgia, The Netherlands, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Germany. They have also tried to expand this project by bestowing gifts and holding teleconference events in nearly 35 countries.

One of the Astan-e Quds’ actions was to hold expensive ceremonies to remember Imad Mughniyeh. One such event took place in Mashhad on February 25, 2008, with the presence of Vaez Tabasi, then-head of the foundation, as well as mullah Ahmad Alam-ol-Hoda, Khamenei’s representative in Khorassan province, and Abdullah Safi-addin, then Hezbollah’s representative in Iran. Other related actions included bringing Mughniyeh’s mother to Mashhad and seeing to her needs. Astan-e Quds activities in expanding Islamic extremism and attracting fundamentalists is not limited to the Middle East and also includes Africa.

On March 19, 2018, Mullah Mohammad Mehdi Sibavi, head of Astan-e Quds’ Office of International Relations and Cooperation, met with Hassan Abou Khalil, Hezbollah’s head of Western African affairs, and declared his readiness for more cooperation, particularly in recruiting more people from Africa, Syria, and Lebanon.

“It was decided to use our Hezbollah brothers’ potential and actual talents in Africa, and to also cooperate with them in the cultural fields (i.e. export of Islamic fundamentalism),” he said.

He emphasized that cooperation between Astan-e Quds’ Office of International Relations and Cooperation and Hezbollah’s leaders in Western Africa would start in the summer of 2018.
Astan-e Quds is in contact with Ibrahim Zakzaki, who according to the state-run media is the “Shiite Leader in Nigeria.” Zakzaki, who received his training in the Qom seminary after the mullahs came to power, follows the Iranian regime’s policies and Ali Khamenei’s mindset. He has publicly spoken of its loyalty to the mullahs’ regime, and once said in an interview that he trains some of his followers with a method inspired by the “IRGC example.” Zakzaki has pursued his policies through a group that the Iranian regime calls “Nigeria’s Hezbollah.”

A delegation from Astan-e Quds’ ‘Under the Sun’ organization participated in a ceremony on September 4, 2014, held 40 days after a number of Nigerian Shiite Muslims were killed. (In Shiite tradition, mourning ceremonies are held on the third, seventh and 40th days after death). While offering gifts and delivering speeches in support of the movement, the Quds delegation was hosted by Sheikh Zakzaki.

According to Astan-e Quds officials, this organization has expanded to other African nations including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Malawi, and Uganda. In Zambia, after the Iranian regime’s embassy was closed down, AQR front organization continued its activities under the guise of a charity organization and NGO. According to the remarks of the organization’s officials, it assumed some of the duties of the embassy, including overseeing its property. And in de facto, it became the representative of the Islamic Republic in this country.

The relationship between AQR and the terrorist Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, particularly with its Commander Qassem Soleimani, has expanded in recent years.
On July 21, 2018, while still caretaker of AQR, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi hosted Commander Qassem Soleimani in Mashhad and offered him the highest honorary title of AQR. Commander Qassem Soleimani even took part in the ceremony of dusting the tomb of Imam Reza. (In reality, the ceremony involves collecting the donations made to the tomb, a role that traditionally was done by the kings or grand religious leaders). On the same day, Astan-e-News, the news outlet of AQR, wrote, “Today, Commander Qassem Soleimani came to Mashhad alone, but it was as if thousands of martyrs, protectors of the tombs and Islam, and millions of hearts filled with love of the Imam of compassion in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and other nations of Islam, were visiting the tomb with their commander.”

On July 25, 2019, the custodian of AQR gave the IRGC’s air force commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh and four other IRGC officers, medals for taking down a U.S. drone.

“You were able to complete your mission by a precise and timely task and action against the aggressor, who understands nothing but the language of power. You were able to point out that the ‘hit and run’ era is over,” said Ahmed Marawi, the current custodian of the AQR.

In 2017, Astan-e Quds Razavi set up the “Keramat (dignity) Foundation,” based on a model of Barak Foundation, a major sub-division of Executive Headquarters of Imam’s Directive, another economic conglomerate. IRGC Brigadier General Hussein Yekta was appointed as the Managing Director of Keramat Foundation. Mohsen Mansouri is the current Managing Director of the Keramat Foundation.

Astan-e Quds provides facilities for the IRGC, including in the Arbaeen ceremony in Iraq to intervene in neighboring countries, via this organization.

# Conclusion

Astan Quds Razavi serves as one of the regime’s key financial vehicles, has direct annd verifiable ties to the IRGC, and is involved in Syrian reconstruction efforts. Astan Quds Razavi also maintains ownership over an engineering consultancy sanctioned for its role in Iran’s nuclear program and purportedly holds a representative office in California for one of its most successful subsidiary organizations.

Astan Quds Razavi is involved in sanctionable activities and serves as a vital economic artery for the regime. Targeting Astan Quds Razavi and its entire network of companies would strike a major blow to the regime’s elite and their personal pocket books, enchancing the “maximum pressure” campaign the US is now waging on the Iranian regime. Designating more parastatal organization, similiar in essence to Khamenei’s EIKO, would build the precedent that rapacious regime officials cannot hide their illicit financial activities and profiteering under the guise of religious pledges and pseudocharitable foundations.

This foundation and other similar foundations, which are under the direct supervision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, are in fact the regime’s tools to continue its reign. The truth is that under the mullah’s regime, there is no non-governmental organization.

All official institutions in Iran are either created by the regime or have been seized for its evil purposes, as in the case of Astan-e Quds Razavi. The regime selects all the key officials of these organizations from among the regime’s own senior officials. There is no possible way to differentiate these organizations from the regime’s official instruments of suppression and terrorism.

The Iranian regime uses foundations such as Astan-e Quds to circumvent sanctions and fund its oppressive and terrorist policies Subsequent to the blacklisting of the IRGC and the expansion of US sanctions aimed at cutting off the regime’s economic resources, the regime has utilized AQR and similar entities to circumvent the sanctions and to finance its repressive and terrorist policies.

United States should sanction/designate Astan Quds Razavi for its involvement with IRGC

# Network

Companies owned/controlled by Astan Quds Razavi and Razavi Economic Organization.

Razavi Economic Organization is Astan Quds Razavi’s main economic wing, controlled by:
– Seyyed Morteza Etemad ol Eslami Bakhtiari (Chairman of the Board of Directors, National ID # 0819616591)
– Farhad Rahbar (Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, National ID # 4569284450)
– Mohammad Reza Attar Zadeh (Board of Directors member, National ID # 1930578164)
– Seyyed Massoud Mir Kazemi (Board of Directors member, National ID # 0049619616)
– Mohammad Reza Farzin (Board of Directors member, National ID # 6199326261)
– Abbas Ali Abadi (Board of Directors alternate member, National ID #0049746952)
– Adel Peyghami (Board of Directors alternate member, National ID # 8309164835)
– Seyyed Reza Fatemi Amin (Managing Director, National ID # 4591180948)

For more information about the above companeis and Agriculture, Livestock, and Industrial Processing Holdings and Health and Medicine Companies owned by Astan Quds Razavi, visit:

Astan Quds Razavi’s Economic Network of Companies and Holdings