Canadian officials awarded millions of dollars in federal contracts to the son of a former Iranian vice president, despite an ongoing investigation into allegations that he aided the Islamic Republic in developing missile systems. Mohammad Reza Ghafouri Fard, 45, founded two companies in Alberta under the name 'Sal Ghafouri' that have collectively secured more than 2 million Canadian dollars [$1,446,370] in contracts from federal departments, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Department of National Defense.
During the period these contracts were awarded, Canadian authorities were investigating Fard for his alleged work with Iran's military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A declassified report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) indicated that as the son of Hassan Ghafouri Fard, a former Iranian vice president, Mohammad Reza Ghafouri Fard was involved in the research and development of Iranian military technologies. The report detailed his alleged contributions to a guided anti-aircraft missile system and a jamming tool designed to counter American aircraft.
According to the CSIS Security Screening Branch report from January 2023, obtained by Global News, Fard admitted to active participation in procurement activities that benefited the Iranian military and the IRGC, stating he did not care that these activities were prohibited.
Fard first came to Canada in 2005 to pursue a master's degree but returned to Iran after a week due to a family emergency. Upon his return, he reportedly worked as an engineer at Rabi Kosar, a company focused on research and development for Iran's military. CSIS reports suggest he worked on systems such as Shahin, described as a medium-range anti-missile system, and RAAD, an electronic warfare project aimed at jamming enemy communications. He also allegedly worked on SINA, a system for locating ships. Fard indicated he was in contact with SA Iran, a company affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Defense, which then supplied products to the military or IRGC.
After 18 months at Rabi Kosar, Fard allegedly moved into a project management role at a division of the company involved in illicitly importing components for military projects. He reportedly worked with engineers to identify needed parts and then provided requirements to a Malaysian-based contact who sourced them from third-party countries, including the United States. In 2009, Fard launched his own company, Sima Technologies, in Iran, which later failed.
He returned to Canada in 2013 as a permanent resident and founded Melanite Group, which lists "procurement" as a service and has had Canadian federal and provincial governments, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency, as clients. In 2015, Fard reportedly returned to Iran and met twice with members of the country's Ministry of Intelligence Security (MOIS). During these meetings, he allegedly provided details of his employment in Canada and was warned about potential interest from the FBI due to his involvement with Rabi Kosar, and was advised not to travel to the U.S.
Three years later, Fard founded a second Canadian company, Radian Group Ltd., which also received government contracts. Documents indicate that both Melanite and Radian won multiple contracts for procuring materials for Canadian federal agencies. In 2019, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police hired Ghafouri's company to purchase a borescope imaging device. The Canadian Department of National Defense awarded contracts totaling over $1.5 million CAD [$1,084,371.32 USD] for snow vehicle parts and vehicle lifts. Correctional Service of Canada awarded Melanite a $100,000 CAD [$72,318] contract in 2019, and in 2021, the company received a $380,000 CAD [$27,4810] contract from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
Melanite's most recent contract, awarded in 2024, was for $50,000 CAD [$36,159.25] from the Canadian Forces to supply 'road motor vehicles.' This contract was awarded after CSIS completed its security report in 2023 and forwarded it to immigration authorities handling his citizenship application, which he had filed in 2017. The application was suspended shortly after due to national security concerns raised by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Fard has contested the findings, seeking assistance from his local Liberal MP and the office of a former Minister of Public Safety. He denied involvement in any military or political matters and expressed dissatisfaction with the security screening process. He has filed a complaint with the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency and is pursuing legal action against the immigration department, citing hardship and prejudice due to delays. He stated that these delays prevented him from attending his father's memorial service in 2023 and from joining Canadian government trade missions.
Fard's legal team argued that government agencies would not have contracted his services or invited him on trade missions if he posed a security threat. His lawyer, Bjorna Shkurti, stated that Fard has lived in Canada for over a decade, undergone multiple security screenings, disputes the allegations, and intends to pursue all available legal avenues.