Federal prosecutors have charged two men with sending sensitive tech to Iran that was used in a January drone attack in Jordan, killing three U.S. service members. Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, arrested in Massachusetts, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, captured in Italy, face severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The charges stem from their conspiracy to violate U.S. trade laws and their connections to the IRGC.
Federal prosecutors have charged Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian national residing in Massachusetts, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, co-founder of an Iranian navigation technology company, for unlawfully supplying sensitive technology to Iran. This technology allegedly contributed to a drone attack in Jordan on January 28, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members and injuries to over 40 others. Abedininajafabadi was arrested in Italy, while Sadeghi was apprehended in Massachusetts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasizes that offenders aiding the Iranian regime will be pursued and prosecuted, regardless of their location. The attack was claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militant group, although Iran has denied any involvement. Court documents indicate that the drone’s navigation system traced back to Abedininajafabadi’s company, implicating both men in a conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. If convicted, they face significant penalties, including possible life imprisonment for Abedininajafabadi. Sadeghi also reportedly attempted to secure funding for his technology firm from Iranian sources, facilitating the transfer of U.S.-made electronic components to Iran in the process.
The charges against Sadeghi and Abedininajafabadi stem from their alleged unauthorized provision of technology that was utilized in an attack against a U.S. military base. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), identified by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization, has been linked to drone warfare and other militant activities against U.S. personnel in the region. The incident underscores ongoing tensions regarding Iranian aggression and the procurement of harmful technologies against American forces abroad.
The federal charges filed against Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi highlight a significant legal response to international terrorism threats. The U.S. government’s commitment to prosecuting those who assist state-sponsored terrorism reflects a broader strategy to deter such actions and ensure accountability for attacks on American lives. As investigations continue, the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by sophisticated weaponry falling into the hands of hostile entities.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
