Tehran Tech Execs Accused of Smuggling U.S. Drone Parts to Iranian Military, Brooklyn's Own Tech Fabricated in Foreign Skies

Two Iranian nationals and a Tehran-based company have found themselves in hot water with U.S. authorities, standing accused of conspiring to smuggle American technology to power Iranian drones, in what is perceived as a bolstering effort for a foreign terrorist organization. Unsealed charges in a Brooklyn federal court tagged three key players: Hossein Akbari, CEO of Rah Roshd, Reza Amidi, a commercial manager for the company, and Rah Roshd itself, for their alleged roles in procuring parts in violation of export controls and funneling them to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

This case, unfolding amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, sketches a picture of a sophisticated operation aimed at circumventing sanctions put in place by Washington. According to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, the defendants used a variety of underhanded tactics, including front companies and spoofed emails to make their purchases seem legit, when in reality, they were allegedly feeding into the Iranian military's ambitions.

Amidst the catalog of charges is an instance that hits close to home: a Brooklyn-based company, identified as Company-1, found its manufactured parts in a downed Iranian drone in Ukraine, pointing to the reach and implications of this plot touching both local grounds and international battlefields. “The charges filed today demonstrate the commitment by my Office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle illicit supply chains and prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology in support of a foreign terrorist organization.  The IRGC and Qods Aviation Industries have been core players in the Iranian military regime’s production of drones, which threaten the lives of civilians, U.S. personnel, and our country’s allies.  These charges should serve as a warning to those who violate U.S. export control laws and who unlawfully seek to aid Iran’s drone program,” stated U.S. Attorney John J. Durham, as noted by the same press release.

The scheme struck at the heart of American security, with the IRGC, previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., reportedly at the receiving end of these contraband military goods. The breadth of the conspiracy is vast, charged with accessory parts for drones, such as "servo motors," and "pneumatic masts," both essential in drone operations. "Hossein Akbari and Reza Amidi allegedly engaged in a multi-year conspiracy to obtain U.S. technology for use in Iranian made drones in violation of export laws and to provide material support to the IRGC—a designated terrorist organization," FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia explained, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office's release.

The U.S. Department of Justice is actively pursuing accountability in a case led by the National Security and Cybercrime Section, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nina C. Gupta and Lindsey R. Oken overseeing the prosecution. This effort is part of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, aimed at safeguarding U.S. technological leadership and preventing critical tech from reaching adversaries. The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.