Dear Dr. Pezeshkian, esteemed President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, you came to power with the slogan of "the governance of Nahj al-Balagha" and the protection of public assets. The people who voted for you hoped that the era of Ali's justice in the economic sphere would begin. However, now, during the establishment days of the unity government, we are witnessing a national catastrophe: the plunder of government shares in Makar Steel Company in the Chabahar Free Zone.
The Dimensions of a National Catastrophe
According to the announcement published by the Privatization Organization, ۸.۴۳% of the shares of Makar Steel Company (more than ۲ billion and ۴۰۶ million shares) with a base value of ۱۸.۵ trillion rials were sold at auction on September ۱, ۲۰۲۶. Meanwhile, the physical progress of the project reached about ۷۰% in Bahman ۱۴۰۴ and ۹۵% in Shahrivar ۱۴۰۵. The exchange rate during this period increased from ۱۳۷,۰۰۰ tomans to about ۲۱۰,۰۰۰ tomans, but the base price of the shares has not only not been updated but has remained the same figure from Bahman ۱۴۰۴.
Where Did Two Trillion Tomans Go?
The fair value of these shares at the time of the auction, considering the ۹۵% progress and the exchange rate of ۲۱۰,۰۰۰ tomans, is estimated to be about ۳۸.۴۸ trillion rials. However, the shares were sold for ۱۸.۵ trillion rials. This means that two trillion tomans have been taken from the pockets of the Iranian people and deposited into the account of a specific buyer.
The conditions of "establishing managerial competence" and "selecting strategic customers" have been designed in such a way that it has practically brought competition to zero, and only one participant was present in the auction: Mr. "M.R.A", who is under the protection of the head of one of the parliamentary commissions. Is this transfer in line with national interests or the interests of a specific gang?
Despite the warnings of Dr. Mohammad Masoud Samiei Nejad, the head of the IMIDRO Executive Board, who requested that the transfer of Makar Steel shares be delayed for a year, the transfer board approved the price and sale conditions of this block. Even the General Inspection Organization has followed up, but no results have been achieved.
The Duty is Clear
Mr. President! This transfer has occurred while Makar Steel is on the verge of producing ۱.۶ million tons of sponge iron annually. We urgently request you: issue an order to halt the finalization of this transaction until a thorough expert review and clarification of its dimensions is conducted. Additionally, the General Inspection Organization and the Court of Accounts must be mandated to specially address this case and identify those responsible for the violation of public assets.
Public assets are a trust in your hands. Do not let the shame of this two trillion toman plunder be recorded in your government's record. The people of Iran expect you to stand against the greedy in the manner of Imam Ali (AS) and not allow public assets to be looted.
And the end is for the righteous
