{"id":330768,"date":"2025-04-22T15:00:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=330768"},"modified":"2025-04-22T15:00:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T14:00:40","slug":"convicted-iranian-billionaire-reemerges-in-rail-mega-deal-sparking-outrage-over-regimes-corruption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/economy\/convicted-iranian-billionaire-reemerges-in-rail-mega-deal-sparking-outrage-over-regimes-corruption\/","title":{"rendered":"Convicted Iranian Billionaire Reemerges in Rail Mega Deal, Sparking Outrage Over Regime\u2019s Corruption"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Iranian
Iranian regime’s Minister of Roads, and executives from Avan Rail sign a 64,000 billion toman rail deal on April 20, 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two-minute read<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In a stunning revelation that has reignited public anger over state corruption in Iran, Babak Zanjani \u2014 once sentenced to death for masterminding one of the country\u2019s largest embezzlement scandals \u2014 has resurfaced as a key player in a multibillion-dollar rail investment project backed by the Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.<\/p>\n

On April 20, Iran’s state-run media<\/a> and leaked social media posts briefly revealed that a 64 trillion toman (approximately $800 million) contract was signed between the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways and a private firm tied to Zanjani. The deal includes the production of hundreds of railcars and locomotives in a project officially hailed by Masoud Pezeshkian\u2019s government as a major leap in national infrastructure.<\/p>\n

But critics argue it is instead a stark reminder of the deep entanglement between Iran\u2019s most corrupt oligarchs and the ruling elite.<\/p>\n

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Delving into Iran\u2019s #Corruption<\/a> Chronicles \u2013 Part 1https:\/\/t.co\/3uRDWFAqxD<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 21, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n