IRGC detains brother of Iran’s first vice president

On Oct. 5, unconfirmed reports about the detention of First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri’s brother surfaced in Iranian media. One day later, Jahangiri confirmed the reports, but distanced himself and President Hassan Rouhani’s administration from his brother, saying his brother never held a governmental position. While it may be true that Mahdi Jahangiri, the detained brother, had no position in government, he is known as one of the most prominent merchants in Iran and a founder of the Tourism Bank.

Hinting at the possibility that hard-liners have orchestrated the arrest of his brother for political purposes, the vice president said at a conference on Oct. 7, “There is no red line in countering corruption, and nobody should have immunity.”

He added, “Nobody has the right to take political revenge under the pretext of fighting corruption, and all the state institutions should act within the law.”

Jahangiri’s reference to the possible political motives behind his brother’s detention led the judiciary to adopt a harsh stance.