Abolfazl Bazzazi and his son Mohammad Resa Bazzazi, both citizens of Iran, have been charged with conspiracy to export U.S. goods and technology to Iran’s regime, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The indictment, filed in federal court in Brooklyn, alleges that the defendants attempted to smuggle U.S. goods and technology without the necessary export licenses.
The indictment was announced by Breon Peace, the 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 of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Norfolk Field Office.
According to United States Attorney Peace, the Bazzazis orchestrated a complex scheme to bypass U.S. export laws, aiming to procure equipment and technology for the Iranian regime, designated by the U.S. government as a state sponsor of terrorism. Allegedly, the defendants tried to acquire items related to commercial and military aircraft from various U.S. companies serving industries like military, aerospace, and firefighting.
Assistant Attorney General Olsen highlighted the work of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force in disrupting criminal activities involving sensitive technology. He emphasized the Department of Justice’s commitment to thwarting illegal attempts to exploit U.S. innovation.
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Dugan emphasized that any circumvention of U.S. export control laws is unacceptable. He affirmed the FBI’s dedication to collaborating with global partners to uphold national security.
The indictment outlines activities between January 2008 and August 2019, during which the Bazzazis and their associates allegedly evaded U.S. sanctions and export laws by procuring goods and technology from U.S. companies for Iranian regime end users without necessary licenses.
The defendants sought components usable in commercial and military aircraft and attempted to disguise the final destination of U.S. goods through intermediaries in Europe and elsewhere. The Bazzazis purportedly acted on behalf of an arm of the Iranian regime, designated by the U.S. as supporting terrorist organizations.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Francisco J. Navarro, Jonathan P. Lax, Nomi D. Berenson, and Adam Amir, with support from Trial Attorney Adam Small of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
