Decoding the Steel Gate: The Corruption Case of Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan
According to Iran Gate, the investigative report by the Parliament on the corruption case of Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan, known as Steel Gate, has exposed extensive corruption and violations by this state-owned company, implicating many governmental bodies. It appears that this case is more than just a typical disclosure of misconduct, and the conflict between Parliament members and Mobarakeh Steel behind the scenes has led to this major scandal.
In this context, Iran Gate decided to decode the information released by the Eleventh Parliament and reveal some of the behind-the-scenes relationships. A report has been prepared in three parts, with the current article being the first part of this three-part series.
A 300-Page Dossier of Violations
With the conclusion of the Parliament’s investigation into Mobarakeh Steel Company, a 300-page report was published detailing the state of Mobarakeh Steel from October 2018 to July 2021, revealing extensive corruption within the company. This report clearly shows what state management has done to Mobarakeh Steel, one of Iran’s industrial giants. On the other hand, the pressure of sanctions on Iran’s economy, leading to monopolies in industries, has exacerbated the chaos in state-owned companies.
Partners in Crime: From the Revolutionary Guard to the Friday Prayer Leaders’ Headquarters
A brief look at this 300-page report reveals suspicious and illegal connections of Mobarakeh Steel with many individuals and entities. The report mentions several governmental bodies and individuals, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Isfahan Municipality, the Intelligence Department, Governors’ Offices, the Revolutionary Guard, Basij Bases, the Ministry of Defense, the Judiciary, the General Tax Administration, Customs, the Arbaeen Headquarters, and the Friday Prayer Leaders’ Headquarters, which have a significant and clear presence in the Mobarakeh Steel corruption case.
Additionally, some of the illegal contracts of Steel Gate were signed with companies that have very limited information available, and it seems that these companies exist only on paper.
Steel Gate Documents: The Role of Nabati Nejad in the Mobarakeh Steel Corruption Case
Among the names in this report, the role of Mobarakeh Steel’s public relations and its then-manager, Hadi Nabati Nejad, stands out prominently. It seems that many of Mobarakeh Steel’s violations occurred under his orders or supervision. Particularly in the area of indiscriminate payments to various media, both conservative and reformist, Nabati Nejad’s significant role is clearly visible.
For example, in the context of large payments to media outlets such as Kayhan, Hamshahri, Donya-e-Eqtesad, Ettelaat, Jam-e-Jam, Etemad, SMT, Shargh, and news agencies like Fars, ISNA, Mehr, Borna, Imna, ILNA, and news platforms like Khabar Fori, Tabnak, Bourse News, Rouydad 24, Eghtesad Online, Salamet News, etc.
It is worth pondering why and for what reason an industrial company would permit itself to engage in such widespread violations on this scale without anyone raising objections.
Nabati Nejad served as the public relations manager of Mobarakeh Steel from February 2020 to January 2021. Before joining this organization, he also managed public relations at Isfahan Municipality and the Basij of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.
Despite this, not only was Nabati Nejad not reprimanded after leaving Mobarakeh Steel, but he was appointed to a better position as an advisor to the president and head of public relations at the Isfahan Science and Research Town.
The Role of Parliament Behind the Scenes of the Mobarakeh Steel Corruption Case
Although the investigation into Mobarakeh Steel revealed many of the company’s corruptions, it seems there is more to this issue with Parliament. Parliament members have always used investigations as a leverage tool for their demands from companies, especially private banks.
It needs to be clarified what event or disagreement prompted Parliament to pursue the Mobarakeh Steel case. On the other hand, Parliament has tried to selectively publish the names of offenders in this report, seemingly for political settling of scores.
We need to see what Parliament’s demands from Mobarakeh Steel were this time that the company did not comply, leading to the selective disclosure of Mobarakeh Steel’s related corruption.
Summary of Financial and Documentary Statistics of the Steel Gate: The Mobarakeh Steel Corruption Case
| ردیف | عنوان | مقدار | واحد |
|---|---|---|---|
| ۱ | حداقل اسناد بدست آمده فولاد گیت | ۳۰۰،۰۰۰ | سند |
| ۲ | حداقل پرونده های تشکیل شده | ۱،۲۰۰ | پرونده |
| ۳ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش سوم | ۷۲،۸۴۰،۶۷۰،۶۳۵،۰۰۰ | ریال |
| ۴ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش چهارم | ۸۶،۳۸۱،۶۹۸،۳۸۲ | ریال |
| ۵ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش پنجم | ۲۶۶،۴۱۵،۰۰۰،۰۰۰،۰۰۰ | ریال |
| ۶ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش ششم | ۵۷۷،۶۸۸،۹۸۰،۹۷۱،۰۰۰ | ریال |
| ۷ | مجموع تخلفات مالی فولاد گیت معادل ریالی فصل دوم-بخش هفتم | ۱،۷۰۳،۵۴۹،۹۹۶،۸۸۷ | ریال |
| جمع تخلفات مالی پرونده فساد فولاد مبارکه اصفهان | ۹۱۸،۷۳۴،۵۸۳،۳۰۱،۰۰۰ | ریال |
