Khatam al-Anbia
Encyclopedia
Khatam al-Anbia is an Iranian engineering firm controlled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The firm, also known as GHORB, is the IRGC's major engineering arm and one of Iran's largest contractors in industrial and development projects. Khatam al-Anbia was created during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war
to help rebuild the country, and has diversified over the years into companies dealing with mechanical engineering, energy, mining and defense.
(1980-1988), the Iranian government encouraged the IRGC to bolster its budget through economic activities. To do so, the IRGC established a headquarters of self-sufficiency and a headquarters of reconstruction. In 1990, the headquarters of reconstruction became gharargah sazandegi khatam alanbia, abbreviated as Ghorb. In time, the firm became "one of Iran’s largest contractors in industrial and development projects, and today is considered
the IRGC’s major engineering arm."
tunnels; buildings; heavy-duty structures; three-dimensional trusses; offshore construction; water supply systems; and water, gas, and oil main pipelines."
Two of the most prominent Khatam subsidiaries are Sepasad and Hara; the former is currently constructing Line Seven of the Tehran Metro
, while the latter directs tunnel construction and excavation operations throughout the country.
On April 25, 2009, a consortium controlled by Khatam purchased a 51.18% controlling stake in Iran's naval-industrial giant SADRA
.
reported that Iran is building intermediate-range missile launch pads for its Venezuelan allies on the Paraguaná Peninsula
of Venezuela
. Khatam al-Anbia is reported to be actively assisting on the project.
(OFAC) added Khatam to the Specially Designated National (SDN) list. Pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, this action freezes the company's assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits transactions with U.S. parties.
listed Khatam as an entity linked to Iran's proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities or Iran's development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. With a few exceptions, EU member states are required to freeze all funds and economic resources owned, held or controlled by the Khatam, and must ensure that no funds or economic resources are made available to or for the listed company.
, adopted on June 9, 2010, targets Khatam as an entity "controlled, or acting on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."
Iran-Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the longest conventional war of the twentieth century...
to help rebuild the country, and has diversified over the years into companies dealing with mechanical engineering, energy, mining and defense.
Foundation
After the Iran-Iraq WarIran-Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the longest conventional war of the twentieth century...
(1980-1988), the Iranian government encouraged the IRGC to bolster its budget through economic activities. To do so, the IRGC established a headquarters of self-sufficiency and a headquarters of reconstruction. In 1990, the headquarters of reconstruction became gharargah sazandegi khatam alanbia, abbreviated as Ghorb. In time, the firm became "one of Iran’s largest contractors in industrial and development projects, and today is considered
the IRGC’s major engineering arm."
Business Activities
Khatam al-Anbia is said to have a workforce of 25,000 engineers and staff. Ten percent of the employees are IRGC members while the rest are contractors. According to the firm's website, the company has been awarded more than 750 contracts in various construction fields "including dams; water diversion systems; highways;tunnels; buildings; heavy-duty structures; three-dimensional trusses; offshore construction; water supply systems; and water, gas, and oil main pipelines."
Two of the most prominent Khatam subsidiaries are Sepasad and Hara; the former is currently constructing Line Seven of the Tehran Metro
Tehran Metro
The Tehran Metro is a rapid transit system serving Tehran, the capital of Iran. The system consists of 4 operational lines, with construction having begun on a further two lines in 2007....
, while the latter directs tunnel construction and excavation operations throughout the country.
On April 25, 2009, a consortium controlled by Khatam purchased a 51.18% controlling stake in Iran's naval-industrial giant SADRA
SADRA
SADRA also known as "Iran Marine Industrial Company" was founded in 1968 as a small ship repair yard in Bushehr. Since then, SADRA has established itself as the leading shipbuilding and shiprepairing company in Iran. SADRA is also active in offshore oil & gas development. SADRA specializes in...
.
South Pars
As part of the IRGC, Khatam al-Anbia is intimately connected to Iran's oil and gas industry. The company has been awarded several phases of the South Pars gas field. In May 2010, the Iranian government awarded Khatam the rights to develop phases 13, 14, 22, 23 and 24 of South Pars. On April 30, 2011, Iran's Oil Ministry awarded two no-tender contracts to Khatam to develop the Halgan and Sefid Baghoon gas fields in South Pars.Activities abroad
In May 2011, the German newspaper Die WeltDie Welt
Die Welt is a German national daily newspaper published by the Axel Springer AG company.It was founded in Hamburg in 1946 by the British occupying forces, aiming to provide a "quality newspaper" modelled on The Times...
reported that Iran is building intermediate-range missile launch pads for its Venezuelan allies on the Paraguaná Peninsula
Paraguaná Peninsula
The Paraguaná Peninsula is a peninsula in Venezuela, situated in the north of Falcón State. The island of Aruba lies 27 km to the north. Bonaire and Curaçao are slightly further away. The Paraguaná Peninsula is connected to the rest of the state by a natural isthmus of Médanos. The Peninsula...
of Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. Khatam al-Anbia is reported to be actively assisting on the project.
United States
On October 25, 2007, the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets ControlOffice of Foreign Assets Control
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is an agency of the United States Department of the Treasury under the auspices of the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S...
(OFAC) added Khatam to the Specially Designated National (SDN) list. Pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, this action freezes the company's assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits transactions with U.S. parties.
European Union
On June 24, 2008, the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
listed Khatam as an entity linked to Iran's proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities or Iran's development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. With a few exceptions, EU member states are required to freeze all funds and economic resources owned, held or controlled by the Khatam, and must ensure that no funds or economic resources are made available to or for the listed company.
United Nations
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929, adopted on 9 June 2010, after recalling resolutions 1696 , 1737 , 1747 , 1803 , 1835 and 1887 concerning the topics of Iran and non-proliferation, the Council noted that Iran had failed to comply with previous Security Council resolutions...
, adopted on June 9, 2010, targets Khatam as an entity "controlled, or acting on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."
See also
- Economy of IranEconomy of IranThe economy of Iran is the eighteenth largest in the world by purchasing power parity and according to Iranian officials' claims is going to become the 12th largest by 2015. The economy of Iran is a mixed and transition economy with a large public sector and some 50% of the economy centrally planned...
- Construction in IranConstruction in IranIn recent years, the construction industry of Iran has been thriving due to an increase in national and international investment to the extent that it is now the largest in the Middle East region...
- Industry of IranIndustry of IranAccording to a report by the Economist, Iran has been ranked 39th for producing $23 billion of industrial products in 2008. From 2008 to 2009 Iran has leaped to 28th place from 69th place in annual industrial production growth rate. A recent report by the World Fact Book ranks Iran 3rd among...
- Energy in IranEnergy in IranEnergy resources in Iran consist of the third largest oil reserves and the second largest natural gas reserves in the world. Iran is in a constant battle to use its energy resources more effectively in the face of subsidization and the need for technological advances in energy exploration and...
- Military of IranMilitary of IranThe Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran include the IRIA and the IRGC and the Police Force .These forces total about 545,000 active personnel . All branches of armed forces fall under the command of General Headquarters of Armed Forces...