Tehran, Iran – Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, the economic arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced its withdrawal from a metro construction project in Venezuela, despite prior preliminary agreements between the two parties.
Project handover and withdrawal
Abdolreza Abed, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, stated that preliminary agreements for the project had been reached. However, “due to the circumstances, we handed the project over to them so they could complete it themselves and withdrew.” Abed did not disclose the precise reasons for this sudden decision. He merely indicated that the headquarters “is not a competitor to the private sector” and does not interfere in projects that the private sector can undertake.
“Cross-border” projects and secrecy
Despite the withdrawal from Venezuela, Abed confirmed that the Revolutionary Guard remains involved in “transnational projects.” However, he declined to provide any further details about their nature or locations. He explained, “We will inform you about these projects upon their completion.”
tense political context
This economic withdrawal comes at a highly sensitive political time. Concerns are growing in Tehran about the stability of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi affirmed his country’s support for Maduro as the “elected president” in the face of increasing US pressure.
Maduro’s regime is suffering from an international legitimacy crisis and accusations of fraud in the recent elections. The United States, the European Union, and several Latin American countries refuse to recognize his government.
Observers believe that the withdrawal of the Revolutionary Guard’s economic arm may be linked to funding conditions or increasing political risks in Caracas.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters is the primary financial pillar of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). For decades, it has undertaken massive projects within Iran to secure funding for military operations. This role has long faced widespread criticism from the Iranian private sector, which views the IRGC’s pervasive influence in the economy as a monopoly that stifles competition.
