U.S. Tech CEO Arrested Over Alleged $15m Iran Sanctions-Evasion Scheme, Faces Asset Seizure

A technology executive based in Orange County, California, has been arrested and charged by U.S. federal authorities for allegedly supplying American-made networking and encryption equipment to Iran's military and nuclear institutions in violation of U.S. sanctions laws.

The suspect, 63-year-old Jamshid Ghomi, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and resident of Newport Coast, was taken into custody on Wednesday. Federal prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Authorities allege that Ghomi founded and operated Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh Co. Ltd., a Tehran-based computer networking company, and spent more than a decade procuring sophisticated U.S.-manufactured networking equipment for customers in Iran without obtaining the required authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department.

According to court documents, Ghomi allegedly used his personal eBay and PayPal accounts between 2011 and 2023 to acquire hundreds of pieces of networking equipment. Prosecutors claim the items were routed through intermediaries in the United Arab Emirates before being smuggled into Iran.

Investigators further allege that Ghomi and his associates facilitated the shipment of more than 250 metric tons of networking equipment into Iran between 2014 and 2018. The operation allegedly relied on freight forwarders and front companies in Dubai to conceal the true destination of the shipments.

Federal prosecutors say some of the equipment was ultimately supplied to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, which oversees the country's nuclear programme, as well as Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.

In addition to the sanctions-related charges, investigators accuse Ghomi of laundering more than $15 million into the United States between 2011 and 2024. Authorities allege he falsely reported the funds to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as proceeds from a foreign inheritance.

The U.S. Department of Justice also alleges that profits from the scheme were used to help finance the construction of a luxury Newport Coast mansion valued at approximately $35 million. Federal authorities have initiated proceedings to seize the property.

Commenting on the case, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the allegations as serious, accusing Ghomi of providing technology to Iranian government entities, including organisations linked to the country's military and nuclear programme, while residing in the United States.

Acting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also stated that the charges allege violations of U.S. sanctions laws and support for entities connected to Iran’s military and nuclear activities.

Despite the allegations, prosecutors emphasized that the criminal complaint represents accusations only. Ghomi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.