A US-Iranian national based in California was charged with illegally exporting weapons to Iran.
They included US-manufactured military aircraft components, which he intended to export to Iran in violation of sanctions for selling arms to the Islamic Republic.
Jeffrey Chance Nader, 68, who holds both Iranian and US citizenship, was arrested on Tuesday for violating federal laws.
“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.
He added, “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.”
“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.
He added, “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.”
