![\"iranian](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/iranian-port-smuggling.jpg\" "\\"iranian")
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On Monday morning, June 5, a young ‘kulbar’ (poor locals who carry heavy loads for a living) named Hoshiar Hassanzadeh was shot by the Iranian regime\u2019s cruel border guards in Western Iran. Despite carrying no illicit items in his backpack, this 20-year-old was deliberately targeted and fatally shot in the head and chest.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, on June 6, the Mehr state news agency<\/a> shed light on the issue of smuggling within Iran. An individual claiming expertise in combating economic corruption expressed valid concerns regarding the inadequate performance of the anti-trafficking headquarters. This expert estimated that the turnover generated by smuggling activities in Iran has reached an astonishing 1,000 trillion tomans. Additionally, annual statistics indicate that the detrimental impact of this phenomenon ranges between 15 and 21 billion dollars. The expert’s warning about the potential control of the country’s market by smugglers should not be disregarded, urging the need for improved procedures.<\/p>\n It is essential to acknowledge that the “current procedure” highlighted by the expert is not a recent occurrence but rather has a longstanding history. On July 5, 2012, the ISNA news agency published an article titled “Troublesome Wharves<\/a>,” emphasizing the significant number of wharves operating without customs supervision. Out of a total of 201 wharves across the country, only 20% are subject to customs oversight, leaving the remaining 80% to operate without adhering to proper customs regulations. This concerning statistic indicates that a mere 40 wharves can be considered legal.<\/p>\n Furthermore, on July 10, 2019, the Fars state news agency acknowledged the presence of various smuggled goods entering the country through land, air, and sea routes, including official paths. This illicit activity has profoundly impacted employment and domestic production, posing significant challenges to the nation\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n However, it becomes apparent that the expert’s concern about the dominance of smugglers in the country’s market is not baseless or irrelevant. Referred to as the “smuggler brothers,” a metaphorical term alluding to the influence of the IRGC<\/a>, these entities reportedly control a significant portion\u2014approximately one-sixth\u2014of the country’s total liquidity, according to a government expert. Their grip on the market has been firmly established for a considerable period.<\/p>\n "Over the years, the #IRGC<\/a> has expanded its #economic<\/a> activities, establishing numerous semi-private companies to circumvent sanctions imposed on the regime ruling #Iran<\/a> and engaging in large-scale smuggling operations," writes @shahriarkia<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/genvxrs91b<\/a><\/p>\n — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n