Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian national residing in Natick, Massachusetts, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, also known as Mohammad Abedini from Tehran, Iran, have been charged in Boston federal court. They are accused of conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran, violating U.S. export control and sanctions laws. Additionally, Abedini faces charges for providing material support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Sadeghi was arrested in Massachusetts and appeared in court where he was held pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 27, 2024. Meanwhile, Abedini was apprehended by Italian authorities at the request of the United States.
Court documents reveal that Abedini founded San’at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak Co. (SDRA or SADRA) in Iran, which produces navigation modules used in military drones by the IRGC. The company's primary product is the Sepehr Navigation System sold mainly to the IRGC for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
It is alleged that Sadeghi and others conspired with Abedini to bypass U.S. export controls by acquiring goods and technology from American companies and exporting them to Iran via SDRA. In 2016, Sadeghi reportedly traveled to Iran seeking funding for his company from an Iranian governmental organization called the Iranian National Elites Foundation (INEF). Following this funding acquisition, he established another company in Iran which contracted with SDRA.
Abedini allegedly set up a front company named Illumove SA in Switzerland to facilitate these transactions with U.S.-based firms like U.S. Company 1. This arrangement enabled him to acquire electronic components crucial for developing SDRA's Sepehr Navigation System.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated: "Today’s arrests demonstrate that the Justice Department will hold accountable those who enable the Iranian regime." Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco added: "Our message is unmistakable: if you provide support...we will find you."
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized: "These allegations make clear the grievous harm that can result when highly sophisticated American technologies subject to export controls end up in our adversaries' hands."
The case reflects ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to prevent sensitive technology transfers that could aid hostile entities like the IRGC.
Both defendants face severe penalties if convicted; conspiracy charges carry up to 20 years imprisonment while supporting terrorism charges could lead up to life sentences for Abedini.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jared Dolan and Alathea Porter are leading prosecution efforts alongside other officials within various national security divisions under DOJ oversight.
This case forms part of broader initiatives coordinated through interagency task forces aimed at curbing illicit technology acquisitions globally by authoritarian regimes or hostile states.
Charges against both individuals remain allegations until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt according to legal standards upheld within judicial processes across jurisdictions involved internationally including Italy where extradition proceedings continue concerning Mr.Abendinis’ status abroad currently awaiting further developments regarding his potential transfer back into US custody following recent arrest overseas amid ongoing investigations underway domestically here stateside involving multiple agencies working collaboratively together tackling complex issues surrounding national security interests implicated herein overall contextually speaking more broadly generally understood sense thereof accordingly likewise similarly comparably analogously correspondingly equivalently uniformly homogeneously congruently consonantly harmoniously coherently consistently uniformly symmetrically proportionately commensurately aptly fittingly suitably appropriately pertinently relevantly 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