A Newport Beach man, Jamshid Ghomi, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly selling U.S. computer technology to the Iranian government, including its nuclear program.
Ghomi, the CEO of an Iran-based tech company, faces charges of violating U.S. sanctions by acquiring sophisticated U.S.-origin networking, security, and encryption equipment for Iranian customers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The 63-year-old is accused of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which allows the U.S. president to freeze foreign assets during national emergencies. Ghomi is expected to make his initial court appearance in Santa Ana on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Justice Department, Ghomi’s company, Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh, allegedly supplied U.S. networking and security equipment to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. The alleged transactions spanned from 2014 to 2023.
Prosecutors claim Ghomi laundered over $15 million from Iran into U.S. bank accounts, falsely reporting the funds as foreign inheritance. They also allege he reported almost no income on his federal tax returns. Ghomi’s assets, including a $35 million mansion in Newport Beach, are subject to seizure. The mansion was reportedly funded by Ghomi’s scheme, with over $7 million coming from foreign wire transfers.
Ghomi faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted. His arrest comes amid President Donald Trump’s reimposed sanctions against Iran, which have targeted financial institutions, manufacturing companies, and energy exports.
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