Gholam Reza Goodarzi, a 76-year-old dual U.S. and Iranian citizen, was arrested on August 30 at George Bush International Airport in Texas and has been charged with smuggling components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the United States to Iran.
His initial court appearance took place on September 3 in the Southern District of Texas. According to the criminal complaint, Goodarzi allegedly engaged in a scheme to export aircraft parts and other controlled technologies to Iran, using proxy destinations to evade detection.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating that Goodarzi concealed controlled items in his luggage and attempted to smuggle UAV components over several years.
U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani highlighted the national security implications of Goodarzi’s actions, noting that smuggling aircraft parts into Iran could enhance the country’s military capabilities, thereby increasing regional threats to U.S. allies and interests.
The prosecution is part of a broader commitment by federal authorities, including the FBI and Customs and Border Protection, to disrupt efforts to evade sanctions against Iran. Court documents reveal that from December 2020 to July 2021, Goodarzi illegally exported aircraft-related parts and oil drilling components to Iran, primarily via Dubai.
He was found to have traveled to and from Iran multiple times, often concealing parts within his luggage. Goodarzi was aware that shipping parts to Iran was prohibited due to sanctions, as evidenced by his communications with suppliers acknowledging these restrictions.
If convicted, Goodarzi faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for smuggling goods, along with a potential fine of $250,000. The determination of his sentence will be made by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
