California CEO Jamshid Ghomi Charged in $15 Million Iran Nuclear-Tech Scheme
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 3
California CEO Jamshid Ghomi Charged in $15 Million Iran Nuclear-Tech Scheme
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 3
Summary
Jamshid Ghomi, 63, was arrested in California and charged with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions by supplying American networking, security and encryption equipment to Iran's nuclear and military establishment.
The Justice Department said the Newport Coast executive procured technology for sanctioned Iranian customers, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, enriching himself while advancing Tehran's nuclear program.
Prosecutors allege Ghomi moved more than $15 million from Iran into U.S. and escrow accounts, falsely labeled the money as a foreign inheritance, and reported almost no income to the IRS.
Tax filings cited by DOJ show he claimed low-income tax breaks in seven years while deducting $1.7 million in mortgage interest and $1.25 million in state and local real-estate taxes.
Authorities say the proceeds helped fund construction of a multimillion-dollar Orange County mansion, adding financial-fraud allegations to a case tied to U.S. efforts to choke off Iran's nuclear procurement.
How did a Newport Coast CEO smuggle tons of US tech to Iran's nuclear program for a decade undetected?
As US sanctions tighten, are China and 'shadow banks' making Iran's illicit procurement networks unstoppable?
With this smuggled US tech, how much closer is Iran to developing a nuclear bomb?
250 Tons of U.S. Technology Smuggled to Iran: The Arrest and Prosecution of Jamshid Ghomi
Overview
On June 3, 2026, authorities in California arrested Jamshid Ghomi, a dual national, on federal charges for running a decade-long scheme to illegally export over 250 metric tons of sensitive U.S. networking, security, and encryption equipment to Iran. The smuggled technology was allegedly sent to key Iranian organizations, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Ministry of Defense, raising serious national security concerns. Ghomi also faces accusations of laundering more than $15 million and committing tax fraud, with his financial maneuvers aimed at hiding the proceeds from these illegal exports and evading U.S. taxes.