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Iranian motorists drive past a poster of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in central Tehran on Nov. 1, 2026. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
Add as preferred on Google Iran has created a secret network of military agencies with global reach to import at least $2 billion in hardware, explosives, and heavy-duty trucks since January 2025, evading both the U.S. naval blockade and Western sanctions, a Reuters investigation has found.Hidden behind names starting with the letters MOD, for the Ministry of Defense, are more than 5,000 agencies that form a formidable financial and military machine. Their financial footprints are on bills of lading and other shipping data dating back to 2016. Some are tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and to business conglomerates known as bonyads that are controlled by Iran's elite.The findings offer a window into one of the war’s great mysteries: How is the IRGC replenishing its missile and drone arsenals while firing them in the thousands?In the 18 months... You have reached your article limitStay informed about a Middle East in crisis.Subscribe for $0.5/month for the first 3 months. Subscribe now Log in This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers. Subscribe now Log in Create a free account to continue reading this article. You’ll also receive The Morning Brief, our must-read daily digest of Middle East news. Opt out anytime Email Address Password Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
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