Video•Mar 9, 2026
Who Was Ali Shamkhani?
The video follows Bloomberg senior reporter Ben Bartinstein as he probes the identity of a shadowy oil‑trading firm, Milivus Group, that appears to be run by the son of a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander. Bartinstein’s investigation began at a Dubai event in November 2023, where an insider hinted at a rapidly expanding company operating from offices in Dubai, Switzerland and Romania, and trading oil and other commodities under a veil of secrecy.
Key insights reveal that Milivus Group ballooned from roughly five staff members to about two hundred within weeks, suggesting substantial backing and access to resources. The firm’s leadership is concealed behind the code name “H” or “Hector,” and sources repeatedly stress the danger of discussing the boss, indicating the individual’s powerful connections within Iran’s highest echelons of government and the IRGC.
Bartinstein captures the tension of his sources: one asks to record the conversation, another refuses to speak, and many express fear for personal safety. The recurring theme is the mystery surrounding the owner, whose lineage ties directly to Iran’s military‑industrial complex, underscoring how elite networks can operate covertly in global markets.
The implications are significant for regulators and investors. If Milivus Group is indeed a conduit for sanctioned Iranian oil, it exposes gaps in sanctions enforcement and raises compliance risks for firms dealing in commodities. Understanding these hidden channels is crucial for policymakers aiming to curb illicit revenue streams that fund Iran’s military activities.
