Bloomberg: Hossein Shamkhani Plays Key Role in Arms Smuggling to Russia via the Caspian Sea

Bloomberg has reported on the "key" role of Hossein Shamkhani, an oil trader and son of Ali Shamkhani, advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, "in sending weapons to Russia." The report, published on Tuesday, December 25, cites informed sources and adds that Hossein Shamkhani has "quietly embedded himself in the heart of the Western financial system and is among a group of merchants transferring weapons via the Caspian Sea to Russia to assist Moscow in the war against Ukraine." According to the report, the son of Ali Khamenei's advisor has begun transferring missiles, drone parts, and dual-use (military and civilian) equipment through a network of companies he oversees, including the Dubai-based shipping company "Kryos," using at least two ships in the Caspian Sea since last year. British and European officials, as well as individuals with direct knowledge of his dealings, have requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information but have stated that Russia pays for these weapons with oil shipments. Bloomberg's report on Hossein Shamkhani, "a key player in Iran's oil sector," notes that Radio Farda cannot independently verify Bloomberg's exclusive report, but earlier this year, it published a detailed report on Hossein Shamkhani's oil activities, stating that he plays a key role in the clandestine export of Iranian oil under the alias "Hector" and has created an "empire" through the establishment of the "Milavous Group" in Dubai, significantly contributing to the sale of sanctioned oil from Iran and Russia, as well as oil and petrochemical products from other countries. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday: "These transactions, which coincide with Russia's increased use of Iranian weapons in its attack on Ukraine, represent another aspect of the extensive global trade network that has enriched Hossein Shamkhani, whose father held the longest tenure as Iran's Minister of Defense and remains a senior advisor to Ali Khamenei." According to the report, Hossein Shamkhani's "empire" includes a hedge fund with offices in London, Geneva, and Singapore, as well as a commodity trading company based in Dubai that deals with major Western oil companies, managing over a quarter of Iran's total arms deliveries to Russia. Informed sources indicated that two Kryos ships named "Sea Castle" (also known as "Tuka") and "Sea Anchor" (also known as "Roja"), which were previously active in Mediterranean and Black Sea routes, were suddenly transferred to the Caspian Sea in mid-2023 and have since been shuttling between Iran and Russia, having made at least five trips from Iranian ports to Astrakhan, Russia, this year alone. Shipping company data shows that both ships are flagged under Palau, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. Previously, Hossein Shamkhani's name had been mentioned in several reports as one of the agents selling Iranian oil, but he and Iranian officials have denied these reports. Two years ago, following the seizure of the "Kabul" ship in India, the ILNA news agency reported that the ship belonged to the "Admiral Company" and stated that the owners of this company were Hassan and Hossein Shamkhani, sons of the Supreme Leader's advisor. Ali Shamkhani currently serves as a political advisor to the Supreme Leader and has previously held various positions, including commander of the Navy, Minister of Defense, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.