Two Iranian Nationals Charged with Conspiring to Provide Sanctioned Technology to the Government of Iran

An indictment was filed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Abolfazl Bazzazi and Mohammad Resa Bazzazi, father and son respectively, with conspiring to illegally export U.S. goods and technology to end users in Iran, including the Government of Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and with attempted smuggling of U.S. goods and technology to Iran.  The defendants, who are citizens of Iran, remain at large.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Norfolk Field Office, announced the indictment.

“As alleged, the Bazzazis devised an intricate scheme to evade U.S. export laws in obtaining U.S. equipment and technology to be exported to Iran for the Government of Iran which has been designated by the United States government as a state sponsor of terrorism.  The defendants allegedly attempted to obtain commercial and military aircraft items from multiple U.S. companies that supply the military, aerospace, and firefighting industries,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “These charges demonstrate the resolve of this Office and the Department of Justice to prosecute those who seek to aid the Government of Iran, in violation of U.S. sanctions.”

“In its first year, the Disruptive Technology Strike Force has strengthened enforcement and disrupted numerous criminal schemes to smuggle highly-sensitive technology that foreign adversaries wield to advance their military and other malign agendas,” stated Assistant Attorney General Olsen.  “The case announced today underscores the commitment of the Justice Department and our partners to disrupt illegal efforts to siphon off U.S. ingenuity and to safeguard American security and innovation.”

“Our foreign adversaries use many tactics to gain access to critical U.S. technologies and innovation. In this instance, it’s alleged that the Bazzazi’s illegally attempted to export U.S. goods and technology to the Iranian government. Any circumvention of U.S. export control law is simply unacceptable. The FBI will continue to work diligently with its partners across the globe to hold all accountable who jeopardize national security,” stated FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Dugan.

As set forth in the indictment, between January 2008 and August 2019, the Bazzazis and their co-conspirators sought to evade U.S. sanctions and export laws by working to procure goods and technology from U.S. companies for end users in Iran, including the Government of Iran, without obtaining required licenses or other authorization from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.  The defendants sought to obtain components that could be used for commercial and/or military aircraft.  Additionally, they disguised the final destination of U.S. goods by attempting to forward them through intermediaries in Europe and elsewhere.  The Bazzazis acted on behalf of an arm of the Government of Iran, which has been designated by the United States government as acting for or on behalf of terrorist organizations. 

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Francisco J. Navarro, Jonathan P. Lax, Nomi D. Berenson, and Adam Amir, with assistance provided by Trial Attorney Adam Small of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Defendants:

ABOLFAZI BAZZAZI
Age: 79
Iran

MOHAMMAD RESA BAZZAZI
Age: 43
Iran

E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 24-CR-60 (DG)