US Citizen Found Guilty of Helping Export Tech to Iran Against Sanctions

A Massachusetts man has been convicted of conspiring to illegally export electronic components to Iran, a verdict reached after a jury found Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi guilty on three of five charges. Sadeghi, who worked for the global electronics company Analog Devices, was accused by U.S. prosecutors of aiding an Iranian business associate in bypassing American export control laws.

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At its core, this case is straightforward. You cannot send goods, especially the goods at issue in this case, to Iran. Period. Full stop.

Prosecutors presented evidence, including documents, text messages, and photos, to argue that Sadeghi knowingly conspired with his associate, Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, to send restricted goods to Iran. The associate's Tehran-based company allegedly produces navigation systems for Iran's Revolutionary Guard military drone program. The scheme reportedly involved a front company established in Switzerland.

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The defendant knew that, and conspired with Mr. Abedini to do that.

Sadeghi's defense team argued that the prosecution's case was illogical and lacked concrete proof. They contended that Sadeghi was merely offering advice to a longtime friend and was not involved in procuring the parts. The defense also questioned whether the parts actually reached Iran and disputed the nature of the Swiss company, suggesting the prosecution viewed the situation through "dirty glasses."

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The evidence established that he knew what Abedini was doing because he told him in writing.

Despite the defense's arguments, the jury found Sadeghi guilty. He showed no outward reaction to the verdict, which came after four days of deliberations. Sadeghi, a naturalized U.S. citizen and father of two, lost his job at Analog Devices due to the charges. He remains free pending his sentencing on October 13.

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He helped him anyway.