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9h ago

Tech CEO Arrested on U.S. Charge of Supplying American Equipment to Iran’s Nuclear and Military Programs

Prosecutors say the arrest highlights stepped‑up enforcement of U.S. export rules to stop sanctioned Iranian nuclear and defense bodies from getting American technology.

Federal officials are also seeking to seize assets allegedly tied to the scheme, including Ghomi’s Newport Coast mansion, valued at roughly $35 million. (Photo: DOJ)
Federal officials are also seeking to seize assets allegedly tied to the scheme, including Ghomi’s Newport Coast mansion, valued at roughly $35 million. (Photo: DOJ)
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Overview

  • Federal agents arrested Jamshid Ghomi in California on Wednesday and charged him with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a complaint that carries a maximum 20‑year prison term if he is convicted.
  • Court filings allege Ghomi used personal eBay and PayPal accounts, UAE front companies and freight forwarders to conceal purchases and shipments of U.S. networking, security and encryption gear.
  • Prosecutors say Ghomi’s Tehran firm, Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh, supplied U.S.‑origin equipment to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran from 2017–2023 and to Iran’s Ministry of Defense from 2014–2022.
  • The complaint alleges Ghomi laundered more than $15 million into U.S. bank accounts, falsely reported the funds as an inheritance to tax authorities, and used proceeds to build a roughly $35 million Newport Coast mansion that prosecutors seek to forfeit.
  • The investigation is led by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California with assistance from DOJ national security teams, and the complaint remains an allegation as the legal case proceeds.