The Justice Department announced an indictment against Jeffrey Chance Nader, 68, an American-Iranian citizen, for crimes related to the illegal export of aircraft components manufactured in the United States, including components used in military aircraft, to Iran. The man was arrested in California.
“This action demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to keeping military-grade equipment out of the hands of the Iranian regime,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said in a statement.
“We will aggressively investigate, dismantle, and hold accountable criminal networks that provide sensitive technology to hostile and repressive governments in violation of U.S. sanctions,” he added.
“Prevent Iran from acquiring American parts”
Following the investigation into Jeffrey Chance Nader’s illicit activities, the Justice Department said in its statement that the authorities will do everything to stop him from providing technologies to Iran and its partners or to Russia to attack US allies.
“Iran and its partners’ attacks against America’s allies in the Middle East and their continued supply of drones and other technology to Russia for its illegal war on Ukraine demonstrate why we must do everything we can to prevent Iran from acquiring American parts, services, and technology,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia.
He added: “The charges announced represent the latest step in our ongoing effort to hold accountable those who illegally channel goods and services to Iran and to deter others from doing the same.”
Iran does not have to use U.S.-made parts and components to maintain its aircraft and drones, they said, so stopping these items before they reach their final destination “reflects the real impact we are having through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force.”
Four types of aircraft components
According to the indictment, beginning in 2023, Nader and other associates conspired to illegally purchase and export, and attempted to export, from the United States to Iran, four types of aircraft components, totaling nearly three dozen individual parts.
Some of these components are intended for use in military aircraft operated by Iran’s armed forces, including the F-4 fighter jet, DOJ said.
Jeffrey Chance Nader, based on purchase orders he received from customers in Iran, coordinated the purchase of relevant aircraft components with business partners in Iran, through whom he and his associates contacted suppliers of such components located in the United States.
In several instances, Nader falsely identified himself and his company, California-based Pro Aero Capital, to U.S.-based suppliers as the end user of the items.
The items were detained by a special agent
Once Nader obtained the aircraft components, he attempted to export them to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on multiple occasions. The items were then to be transshipped to the end customer in Iran.
However, the items mentioned in the indictment were seized by a special agent with the Department of Commerce and none were exported from the United States, they said.
“This indictment underscores the FBI’s commitment to enforcing export laws by holding accountable those who allegedly attempt to smuggle U.S.-origin military equipment for the benefit of Iran,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Division.
They continue to investigate the case
“Any circumvention of U.S. export control law is unacceptable, and the FBI works diligently with its partners around the world to pursue and bring to justice those who violate export laws along with any shell companies that support such activities,” Wells said.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Steven B. Wasserman for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Sean Heiden of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are in charge of the prosecution. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California provided significant assistance.
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