A businessman from California, Jamshid Ghomi, faces charges related to supplying American computer networking equipment to Iran. U.S. federal prosecutors allege Mr. Ghomi was involved in a conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Mr. Ghomi, 63, is a dual citizen of Iran and the United States. He serves as the chief executive of Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh, a technology company based in Tehran. According to a federal complaint from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Mr. Ghomi illegally acquired and redirected American technology through intermediaries in the United Arab Emirates, ultimately reaching Iranian customers. Such exports require authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department.
From 2011 to 2023, Mr. Ghomi allegedly procured restricted networking equipment, including routers, firewalls, switches, and modules. This equipment, produced by companies such as Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Extreme Networks, and Hewlett-Packard, was obtained mainly via eBay. It was then allegedly supplied to Iranian entities, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, involved in the country’s nuclear program. This occurred from 2017 to 2023. Additionally, from 2014 to 2022, the equipment was purportedly sold to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and related military bodies.
Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, emphasized the importance of enforcing laws that prohibit business with Iran, considered a major state sponsor of terrorism. If convicted, Mr. Ghomi could face up to 20 years in federal prison. His attorney has not issued a comment.
Authorities claim Mr. Ghomi transferred proceeds from these sales into U.S. accounts through a network of companies and exchange houses. These entities are located in several regions, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Hong Kong, and the British Virgin Islands. Investigators report over $15 million was moved from Iran into accounts connected to Mr. Ghomi from 2011 to 2024. It is alleged Mr. Ghomi labeled the funds as a foreign inheritance on his federal tax returns while reporting minimal income.
Mr. Ghomi recently appeared in court but has not entered a plea, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
This case against Mr. Ghomi is part of a broader U.S. effort to restrict the flow of American technology to countries like Iran, Russia, and China. The Justice and Commerce Departments have intensified their collaboration to enforce export laws targeting rival nations.
Research for this article was contributed by Kitty Bennett and Kirsten Noyes. Mark Walker, a Times reporter, covers breaking news and culture.
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