California Man Charged with Selling Restricted Tech to Iran

A businessman from California stands accused of supplying restricted American technology to entities in Iran, some linked with the country’s nuclear and military sectors. The U.S. Justice Department announced that Jamshid Ghomi, 63, of Newport Coast, Calif., faces charges of conspiring to breach the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Mr. Ghomi, who is both an Iranian and a U.S. citizen, leads Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh, a tech firm based in Tehran. A federal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California highlighted activities between 2011 and 2023, showing Mr. Ghomi purchased American-made technology and funneled it through intermediaries in the United Arab Emirates, eventually reaching customers in Iran. The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department requires authorization for such exports to Iran.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Mr. Ghomi sourced significant amounts of restricted networking gear through platforms like eBay, arranging for their shipment. The technology included routers, firewalls, switches, and modules from manufacturers such as Cisco Systems and Hewlett-Packard.

His company reportedly supplied this equipment to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization and military-related groups, spanning the years 2014 to 2023. Since 2014, equipment was provided to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and related military organizations, according to the complaint.

Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, highlighted the importance of enforcing laws against business dealings with states linked to terrorism. If convicted, Mr. Ghomi may face up to 20 years in federal prison. His legal representative did not immediately provide a comment.

The complaint also detailed financial transactions, showing earnings funneled into the U.S. via companies in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Hong Kong, and the British Virgin Islands. Over $15 million moved from Iran into bank accounts associated with Mr. Ghomi from 2011 to 2024, labeled as a foreign inheritance on tax returns, while little income was reported.

Mr. Ghomi made an initial court appearance but did not enter a plea, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

This legal action joins a series of measures taken by the U.S. government to restrict countries like Iran, Russia, and China from accessing American technology. The Justice and Commerce Departments have coordinated efforts to prevent the transfer of critical technologies to these rival nations.

Research contributions were made by Kitty Bennett and Kirsten Noyes. Mark Walker, a reporter for the Times, covers breaking news and culture.