In recent months, WikIran has published leaked documents from Bank Sepah and provided in-depth coverage of their content in thorough articles. Our earlier analysis noted: "(There is) no evidence of a Rahbar company, which might suggest that the bank does not have one and is dealing directly with exchange houses".

Fortunately, one of our readers stepped forward to correct our assessment, elaborate on this matter and, most importantly, provide conclusive evidence for our audience.

Setareh Taban Kish (or "Kish Shining Star", national ID no. 14008485664), is known within Iran's "Shadow Banking" circles as Sepah's Rahbar company. A Rahbar company - roughly translated to "Pioneer" – functions as a bank-affiliated entity used to facilitate sanctionable trade. Given the large number of front companies identified in Bank Sepah's leaked documents, as well as to our source's firsthand knowledge, it appears that Sepah's shadow banking network channels billions of US dollars annually.

A formal letter sent by Bank Sepah's Rahbar company, Setareh Taban Kish, to the head of the Bank's FOREX department detailing the transfer of 70 million Chinese Yuan from the account of a company named Nusazan Kaveh.

Headquartered on Kish Island, the company publicaly presents itself as an importer of sugar and tea. However, past investigations suggest otherwise. Until 2021, the company was managed by Mehdi and Mohammed Zolfaghari, both linked to serious allegations of embezzlement, and shady connections to Ehsan Tahayorri, CEO of Arz Iran Exchange House, previously exposed here on WikIran. The Zolfaghari brothers were also implicated in gasoline export deals involving NIOPDC – not exactly the company's cup of tea.

Company's current leadership includes: Ali-Reza Kahkava’i (CEO), Farid Ferhamand (Head of the Board of Directors), and Amir Hosseini (deputy head of the Board of Directors).

Some of Setareh Taban Kish's major clients are the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), its Swiss-based subsidiary NICO and petrochemical giant PGPICC. Setareh Taban Kish provides a significant portion of the FOREX services utilized by Iran's Armed Forces and their affiliated entities, such as the IRGC and MODAFL.

We must emphasize that despite its extensive involvement in a wide array of malign activities – ranging from proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the Islamic Regime's pursuit of nuclear weapons, to a murderous regional hegemonic campaign and the systematic abuse of international financial systems - Bank Sepah continues to operate a number of branches in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy. It's long past time these branches were permanently closed.

This article was made possible thanks to a highly vigilant and proactive reader whose insights enabled us to fill critical gaps and provide WikIran's audience the most accurate details and comprehensive understanding of the secretive measures and key actors sustaining the Islamic Regime.