Son of Ayatollah Khamenei Adviser Owns Tanker Fleet That Supplies Arms to Russia – Bloomberg

Son of Ayatollah Khamenei's Adviser Owns Fleet of Tankers Supplying Russia with Arms – Bloomberg Sergei Popovich

Iranian businessman Hossein Shamkhani provides a significant portion of Iran's arms supplies to Russia, including components for drones. He is the son of an adviser to the country's leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

His father is a former defense minister. This was reported by Channel 24, citing Bloomberg.

What is known about Shamkhani

Hossein Shamkhani is the son of a former defense minister Iran, who now serves as an adviser to the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamkhani owns a network of companies that export oil and petroleum products from Iran and Russia through countries that avoid Western sanctions. He has a fleet of dozens of tankers and cargo ships at his disposal.

At least two ships linked to his companies were involved in transporting Iranian weapons, drone parts, and dual-use goods in 2023. The vessels in question are the Sea Castle (also known as the Tooka) and the Sea Anchor (also known as the Roja). They have made at least five voyages between Iranian ports and Russia's Astrakhan over the past year.

According to Bloomberg, payment for such deliveries is made in the form of barter, with Russia paying in oil.