Latest news with #BahramMohammadOstovari
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Iranian man arrested in US for illegal tech exports to Iran
LOS ANGELES: A 66-year-old Iranian man and US permanent resident was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly exporting advanced electronics to Iran in violation of US sanctions. Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, who resides in both Santa Monica and Tehran, was taken into custody upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport. The US Department of Justice stated that Ostovari is accused of unlawfully shipping railway signaling and telecommunications equipment to Iran. He is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm that supplied such systems to the Iranian government, including projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. According to the indictment, Ostovari and his associates obtained and sent computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronic components to an Iranian company between May 2018 and July 2025. Prosecutors allege he used two front companies in the United Arab Emirates to acquire the electronics and reroute them to Iran while hiding their true destination from US suppliers. The Justice Department noted that Ostovari continued these activities even after obtaining US permanent residency in May 2020. He reportedly acknowledged US sanctions in emails and instructed a co-conspirator to mislead a federal export control officer about the intended use of the goods. Ostovari faces four counts of sanctions violations, with each count carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. - AFP
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
US arrests Iranian over alleged sanctions violations for tech exports
An Iranian man who is also a US permanent resident was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly exporting 'sophisticated electronics' from the United States to Iran, thus violating Washington sanctions, the Department of Justice said. Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, of Santa Monica and Tehran, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of unlawfully exporting railway signaling and telecommunications equipment to Iran. According to the indictment, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company that supplied signaling and communications systems to the Iranian government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. 'From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran,' said Friday's announcement from the Department of Justice. The indictment alleges Ostovari continued the illegal exports even after becoming a US lawful permanent resident in May 2020, and that he was aware of Washington's sanctions against Tehran. 'Ostovari knew of the US sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of US-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran,' the announcement said. If convicted, Ostovari -- who is charged under four counts of violating sanctions -- faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.
