California tech boss accused of smuggling equipment to Iran
Summary
A California man with dual US-Iranian citizenship was arrested for illegally sending sophisticated US-made computer equipment to Iran. The equipment allegedly reached Iran’s military and nuclear programs, violating US sanctions and involving millions of dollars in illegal shipments.Key Facts
- Jamshid Ghomi, 63, was arrested in Newport Coast, Los Angeles, for smuggling tech equipment to Iran.
- Ghomi is accused of breaking US sanctions by shipping networking, security, and encryption gear to Iran starting in 2011.
- He faces up to 20 years in prison and is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
- Ghomi owned and led a Tehran-based tech company called Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh Co. Ltd. (FPR).
- From 2014 to 2018, Ghomi sent over 250 metric tonnes of equipment to Iran, including to sensitive nuclear and military users.
- He allegedly hid his activities and made more than $10 million yearly from these sales.
- Ghomi reportedly laundered over $15 million back to California and falsely reported it as foreign inheritance.
- Authorities plan to seize Ghomi’s $35 million mansion in Newport Beach as part of the case.
- The US claims Iran uses its nuclear program to build atomic weapons, which Iran denies.
- President Donald Trump said talks between the US and Iran are ongoing despite tensions.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
