2 Arrested for Allegedly Helping Iran Acquire Technology Used in Attack

Two Iranian men have been arrested for their alleged roles in helping Iran acquire technology linked to a deadly drone strike on U.S. troops.

At a Glance

Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, are charged with exporting sensitive technology to Iran.
The technology was used in a drone attack killing three U.S. soldiers in Jordan.
The FBI traced the drone’s navigation system to an Iranian company.
Abedininajafabadi and Sadeghi have been charged with export control violations.

Suspects in Custody

Mohammad Abedininajafabadi and Mahdi Sadeghi face charges of violating U.S. export control regulations by supplying sensitive technology to Iran. A drone attack took place on January 28 at a U.S. outpost in northeastern Jordan, killing three American troops and injuring numerous others. U.S. officials identified the drone as having been equipped with navigation technology developed by Abedininajafabadi’s company, which is tied to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Abedininajafabadi, who was apprehended in Italy and is now awaiting extradition to the United States, is accused of obtaining U.S.-made navigation technology illegally. He owns an Iranian company that actively produces navigation systems for military drones. Sadeghi, arrested in Massachusetts, worked at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company and used a Swiss shell company to discreetly ship restricted items to Iran.

An investigation unfolding in Natick is linked to arrests of 2 Iranians in connection with deadly drone strike, 5 Investigates reports https://t.co/uBkzAv9AEw pic.twitter.com/HbqwsDUOL4

— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) December 16, 2024

Drone Attack Details

The drone strike that resulted in the loss of three American soldiers occurred at a Jordanian military base near the Syrian border. It was attributed to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militia group. Described as a “one-way uncrewed aerial system,” the drone mistakenly identified as a U.S. drone crashed into living quarters, leading to the tragic deaths and injuries.

In response to the attack, the United States conducted a counterstrike targeting sites in Iraq and Syria utilized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. This retaliation highlights ongoing tension in the region, exacerbating relations between the United States and Iran.

Implications for U.S. Security

The arrests of Abedininajafabadi and Sadeghi shed light on alleged efforts to circumvent American security measures for supplying military-grade technology to adversarial nations. These developments underline the complexities involved in controlling sensitive technologies that could potentially be weaponized against U.S. forces. The implications of these actions on national security and international diplomacy remain profound, as policymakers grapple with ensuring military personnel stationed abroad are sufficiently protected against increasingly sophisticated threats.

The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the extent of the alleged espionage activities and minimize future risks. Officials are vigilant in protecting sensitive information and equipment to safeguard American interests domestically and internationally.