Editing Economy of Iran (section)

=== Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ===
{{Main|Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps#Economic activity|l1=Economic activities of the Revolutionary Guard Corps}}

The [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC) are thought to control about [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps#Economic activity|one third of Iran's economy]] through subsidiaries and trusts.<ref name="RAND1" /><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8354875.stm Iran's Guards in $2.5bn rail deal]. BBC, November 11, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm |title=Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards |date=October 26, 2007 |work=BBC News |access-date=December 27, 2008 }}</ref> 2007 estimates by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' suggest the IRGC has ties to over one hundred companies and annual revenue in excess of $12 billion, particularly in construction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-26-fg-guards26-story.html |title=Iran's $12-billion enforcers |date=August 26, 2007 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |author=Kim Murphy |access-date=December 27, 2008 }}</ref> The [[Ministry of Petroleum of Iran|Ministry of Petroleum]] awarded the IRGC billions of dollars in [[no-bid contract]]s as well as major infrastructure projects.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1659039,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916052026/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1659039,00.html |archive-date=September 16, 2007 |title=Iran's Rich Revolutionary Guard |date=September 5, 2007 |magazine=Time |author=Azadeh Moaveni |access-date=December 27, 2008 }}</ref>

Tasked with border control, the IRGC maintains a [[Smuggling in Iran|monopoly on smuggling]], costing [[List of Iranian companies|Iranian companies]] billions of dollars each year.<ref name="RAND1" /> Smuggling is encouraged in part by the [[Iranian targeted subsidy plan#Objectives|generous subsidization of domestic goods]], including [[2007 Gasoline Rationing Plan in Iran#Fuel smuggling|fuel]]. The IRGC also runs the [[Telecommunication Company of Iran|telecommunication company]], laser eye-surgery clinics, makes cars, builds bridges and roads and develops oil and gas fields.<ref name=NYT20090721>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/world/middleeast/21guards.html?hpw=&pagewanted=print |title=Hard-Line Force Extends Grip Over a Splintered Iran |date=July 20, 2009 |url-access=subscription |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=Michael Slackman |access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref>