In Brooklyn, federal court officials announced charges against Iranian nationals Hossein Akbari and Reza Amidi, along with the Iran-based Rah Roshd Company, for allegedly conspiring to procure U.S. parts for Iranian drones and providing support to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Akbari, CEO of Rah Roshd, and Amidi, the commercial manager, remain at large in Iran.
John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, highlighted the charges against the defendants. "The charges filed today demonstrate the commitment by my Office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle illicit supply chains and prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology in support of a foreign terrorist organization."
Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Akbari, Rah Roshd, and other entities involved in the scheme. "Today's charges lay bare how U.S.-made technology ended up in the hands of the Iranian military to build attack drones," explained Sue J. Bai from the Justice Department's National Security Division.
FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia remarked that the Iranian government has violated U.S. laws. "The Iranian government has repeatedly demonstrated they are willing to violate the laws of our nation—this time utilizing dishonest businessmen who deliberately misrepresented themselves—in order to further their treacherous goals."
Rah Roshd, a company that provides advanced electronic systems to the Iranian government, and its executives are charged with securing U.S. parts for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used in military operations, including the Mohajer-6. The defendants allegedly misrepresented their identity and used shell companies to obscure the true end-users of the U.S.-made parts.
Both Akbari and Amidi are alleged to have facilitated the procurement of UAV parts to bolster Iran's military capabilities, including drone field hangers and other equipment. Furthermore, they are charged with money laundering, using shell companies in the UAE to pay a China-based firm for motors.
The charges, part of efforts by the Justice and Commerce Departments' Disruptive Technology Strike Force, aim to disrupt actors aiding regimes with U.S. technology. The strike force seeks to protect supply chains and prevent critical tech from reaching hostile states.
The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is managed by the National Security and Cybercrime Section, under the supervision of several U.S. Assistant Attorneys and officials from various departments.
Hossein Akbari, 63, and Reza Amidi, 62, have used aliases to further their alleged activities. The Rah Roshd Company is located in Tehran, Iran.