DOJ Charges Tech CEO in Alleged Iran Tech Export Scheme
A dual U.S.–Iranian national and technology executive is facing federal charges in a sweeping national security case alleging the long-term illegal export of sensitive American computer networking and encryption equipment to Iran, including entities tied to the country’s military and nuclear programs.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 63-year-old Jamshid Ghomi, a Newport Coast resident and CEO of a Tehran-based technology company, is accused of running an international procurement network that allegedly routed restricted U.S. technology through multiple intermediaries in several countries before it ultimately reached Iran.
The complaint describes the alleged conduct as spanning more than a decade and involving extensive use of shell companies, freight forwarders, and concealed financial channels. U.S.
The charges stem from alleged violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and U.S. sanctions regulations enforced by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Court filings state that Ghomi is accused of conspiring to bypass export restrictions by acquiring controlled networking and encryption equipment without authorization and routing it through third countries to obscure its final destination.
Investigators describe a complex international structure allegedly built around a Tehran-based firm that sourced U.S.-origin technology for Iranian customers.
The complaint outlines the use of freight forwarding hubs in the United Arab Emirates, front companies, and online payment systems to disguise transactions and conceal end users.
Officials say these methods were used to move hundreds of shipments of restricted goods over time.
According to the DOJ, the equipment allegedly entered Iran through layered supply chains that masked its origin and destination, with some items reportedly ending up in organizations linked to Iran’s defense and nuclear infrastructure.
Prosecutors say portions of the technology were supplied to government-connected entities already subject to U.S. sanctions, including agencies involved in military development and nuclear oversight, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
The investigation was led by multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, focusing on alleged violations of U.S. export control laws designed to prevent adversarial governments from accessing sensitive technology.
Authorities describe the case as part of broader enforcement efforts targeting global procurement networks that attempt to evade sanctions through third-country intermediaries.
Court filings also allege that Ghomi used commercial platforms and intermediary accounts to facilitate purchases of U.S. technology, including transactions routed through international payment systems and shipping firms.
Investigators state that communications and invoices allegedly contained coded references and misdirection intended to obscure Iran as the final destination of the goods, according to Trending Politics.
Federal prosecutors further allege that the operation generated millions of dollars in revenue annually, while only a fraction of income was reported to U.S. tax authorities.
According to filings, funds were moved through international financial networks involving shell companies in multiple jurisdictions before being transferred back into the United States under disguised descriptions such as consulting payments or foreign transfers.
Authorities say portions of the proceeds were used to fund luxury assets in the United States, including a multimillion-dollar Newport Coast estate.
The complaint states that foreign-source funds were funneled into construction and real estate accounts over several years, while Ghomi allegedly reported minimal income on tax filings during the same period.
Officials also allege the use of false income classifications, including claims of foreign inheritance.
In a public statement, federal prosecutors emphasized that the case reflects ongoing efforts to prevent the export of sensitive U.S. technologies to sanctioned regimes and to disrupt financial and logistical networks used to support such transfers.
They argue that enforcement of sanctions laws is critical to national security and to limiting access to advanced American-made systems by adversarial military programs.
Ghomi is charged with conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions laws and faces significant potential prison time if convicted.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 63-year-old Jamshid Ghomi, a Newport Coast resident and CEO of a Tehran-based technology company, is accused of running an international procurement network that allegedly routed restricted U.S. technology through multiple intermediaries in several countries before it ultimately reached Iran.
The complaint describes the alleged conduct as spanning more than a decade and involving extensive use of shell companies, freight forwarders, and concealed financial channels. U.S.
The charges stem from alleged violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and U.S. sanctions regulations enforced by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Court filings state that Ghomi is accused of conspiring to bypass export restrictions by acquiring controlled networking and encryption equipment without authorization and routing it through third countries to obscure its final destination.
Investigators describe a complex international structure allegedly built around a Tehran-based firm that sourced U.S.-origin technology for Iranian customers.
The complaint outlines the use of freight forwarding hubs in the United Arab Emirates, front companies, and online payment systems to disguise transactions and conceal end users.
Officials say these methods were used to move hundreds of shipments of restricted goods over time.
According to the DOJ, the equipment allegedly entered Iran through layered supply chains that masked its origin and destination, with some items reportedly ending up in organizations linked to Iran’s defense and nuclear infrastructure.
Prosecutors say portions of the technology were supplied to government-connected entities already subject to U.S. sanctions, including agencies involved in military development and nuclear oversight, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
The investigation was led by multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, focusing on alleged violations of U.S. export control laws designed to prevent adversarial governments from accessing sensitive technology.
Authorities describe the case as part of broader enforcement efforts targeting global procurement networks that attempt to evade sanctions through third-country intermediaries.
Court filings also allege that Ghomi used commercial platforms and intermediary accounts to facilitate purchases of U.S. technology, including transactions routed through international payment systems and shipping firms.
Investigators state that communications and invoices allegedly contained coded references and misdirection intended to obscure Iran as the final destination of the goods, according to Trending Politics.
Federal prosecutors further allege that the operation generated millions of dollars in revenue annually, while only a fraction of income was reported to U.S. tax authorities.
According to filings, funds were moved through international financial networks involving shell companies in multiple jurisdictions before being transferred back into the United States under disguised descriptions such as consulting payments or foreign transfers.
Authorities say portions of the proceeds were used to fund luxury assets in the United States, including a multimillion-dollar Newport Coast estate.
The complaint states that foreign-source funds were funneled into construction and real estate accounts over several years, while Ghomi allegedly reported minimal income on tax filings during the same period.
Officials also allege the use of false income classifications, including claims of foreign inheritance.
In a public statement, federal prosecutors emphasized that the case reflects ongoing efforts to prevent the export of sensitive U.S. technologies to sanctioned regimes and to disrupt financial and logistical networks used to support such transfers.
They argue that enforcement of sanctions laws is critical to national security and to limiting access to advanced American-made systems by adversarial military programs.
Ghomi is charged with conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions laws and faces significant potential prison time if convicted.
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