Gholam Reza (“Ron”) Goodarzi, 76, appeared in federal district court on Tuesday, accused of smuggling material that could make drones and manned aircraft to Iran.
The dual U.S. and Iranian citizen, who lives in Porter, Texas, was arrested on Aug. 30 at George Bush International Airport in Houston. The septuagenarian allegedly tried, for years, to smuggle drone parts and other technologies to Iran, “even concealing controlled items in his own luggage,” according to Matthew Olsen, assistant U.S. attorney in the Justice Department’s division of national security.
“Smuggling aircraft parts into Iran endangers U.S. national security by potentially enhancing Iran’s military capabilities, enabling them to advance their aerial combat potential, increase regional power and threaten U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East,” stated Alamdar Hamdani, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas.
He added that the prosecution reflects his office’s “core commitment” to “disrupt and hold accountable Goodarzi’s alleged efforts to evade sanctions against Iran, a hostile nation.”
Per the complaint, Goodarzi allegedly smuggled “aircraft-related parts, in addition to oil and drilling components” illegally to the Islamic Republic between Dec. 1, 2020, and July 5. “As alleged, Goodarzi purchased U.S.-origin aircraft components from U.S.-based suppliers and then exported them to Iran—typically through Dubai, United Arab Emirates,” the Justice Department stated.
Goodarzi also traveled back and forth to Iran “multiple times” annually and “exchanged multiple emails with suppliers and customers, acknowledging that parts could not be shipped to Iran because of sanctions,” according to the federal government.
He faces up to 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.