A U.S.-Iranian national, Jeffrey Chance Nader, 68, was arrested in California on Wednesday for allegedly trying to illegally export U.S. military-grade aircraft parts to Iran.
“This action demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to keeping military-grade equipment out of the hands of the Iranian regime,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will aggressively investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable criminal networks that supply sensitive technology to hostile and repressive governments in contravention of U.S. sanctions.”
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Starting in 2023, Nader allegedly conspired to buy and ship nearly three dozen aircraft components to Iran based on “purchase orders” from the country. He reportedly misled U.S. suppliers about his identity and the intended use of the parts.
“Attacks by Iran and its proxies on U.S. allies in the Middle East and its ongoing supply of Russia with drones and other technology to be used in its illegal war against Ukraine demonstrate why we must do all that we can to stop Iran from acquiring U.S. parts, services, and technology,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The charges announced today represent the latest step in our ongoing effort to hold accountable those who illegally funnel goods and services to Iran and to deter others from doing the same.”
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“Iran has no business using U.S.-manufactured parts and components to keep their planes and drones in the sky,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security. “Stopping these items before they get to our adversaries – like we did here – reflects the real-world impact we’re having through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force.”
Nader’s attempts to ship the components, including an instance where he tried to route them through the United Arab Emirates, were all intercepted by a special agent with the Department of Commerce.
The investigation into this case is ongoing.
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