{
  "id": 5051647,
  "title": "Canada gave contracts to Iran VP’s son while investigating role in regime missile program",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/canada-gave-contracts-to-iran-vps-son-while-investigating-role-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T09:00:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12040736/iran-vp-son-edmonton-awarded-government-contracts-csis-investigation-missiles/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Canadian government awarded millions of dollars in contracts to the son of Iran's former vice-president, Mohammad Reza Ghafouri Fard, despite an ongoing investigation into allegations he helped Iran evade sanctions and develop missile systems, according to documents obtained by Global News. Born in Iran, Ghafouri moved to Canada in 2013 and changed his name to \"Sal.\" He founded two companies in Alberta and received over $2 million in federal and provincial contracts, including from the RCMP and Department of National Defence. His companies were involved in research, development, and procurement of military technologies for Iran. CSIS, Canada's intelligence agency, alleges Ghafouri actively participated in procurement activities that benefited the Iranian military, including the IRGC. He allegedly helped develop guided anti-aircraft missile systems and jamming tools for Iran's military and Revolutionary Guard Corps. CSIS stated that Ghafouri did not care that these activities were prohibited. After returning to Iran in 2015, Ghafouri met twice with members of Iran's MOIS, providing details of his employment in Canada. The report, recently made public, highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the length of time it has taken the Canadian government to act.",
  "summary": "The RCMP and Canadian military were among the agencies that hired companies run by Edmonton resident 'Sal Ghafouri,' a Global News investigation has found.",
  "key_points": [
    "Canadian government awarded contracts to Sal, son of former Iranian VP.",
    "CSIS alleges Sal helped Iran evade sanctions and develop missiles.",
    "Allegations arose despite ongoing investigation into Sal's activities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Canada gave contracts to Iran VP’s son while investigating role in regime missile program",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/canada-gave-contracts-to-iran-vps-son-while-investigating-role-in-5057040",
        "published": "2026-09-02T09:00:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Iran retaliates on US bases as Russia assists in missile tech development",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/iran-retaliates-on-us-bases-as-russia-assists-in-missile-tech",
        "published": "2026-09-02T09:22:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}