Federal agents arrested a Newport Beach man Wednesday, June 3, 2026, accusing him of quietly funneling high-end American computer gear to the Iranian government and, prosecutors say, into the orbit of the regime's nuclear and military programs.
Authorities identified the suspect as 63-year-old Jamshid Ghomi, who is listed as the chief executive of a technology company based in Iran. He is charged in federal court with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and is expected to make his first appearance before a judge in Santa Ana this afternoon.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement that Ghomi "acquired sophisticated U.S.-origin networking, security, and encryption equipment for Iranian customers, including the Iranian regime's nuclear and military," according to KABC/ABC7. Prosecutors allege the transfers violated long-standing U.S. sanctions on Iran and were made without the export licenses required under federal law. The arrest took place in Newport Beach on June 3, 2026, according to the statement.
Federal Export Rules And Rising Enforcement
Federal law, enforced by the Justice Department, the FBI and the Commerce Department's export-enforcement arm, broadly bars unlicensed transfers of controlled U.S. technology to Iran. In recent years, the Justice Department has stepped up such cases through initiatives like the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, which targets efforts to move sensitive technology to hostile governments.
Conspiracy counts tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act can carry significant prison time. Department materials note that IEEPA-related convictions can be punished by up to 20 years in federal prison, according to the Justice Department.
Next Steps In Court
Ghomi is scheduled for an initial appearance in federal court this afternoon in Santa Ana, where a magistrate judge is expected to address his arraignment and whether he will remain in custody or be released on bond. The hearing is set for the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, which is located at 411 West Fourth Street in Santa Ana, according to the Santa Ana Courthouse.
As the Justice Department routinely points out, an indictment or criminal complaint is only an allegation, and Ghomi is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
