California — A dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and Southern California technology executive has been arrested on federal charges alleging he spent more than a decade illegally supplying U.S.-origin networking, security, and encryption equipment to Iranian customers, including organizations tied to Iran’s nuclear and military programs.
Federal prosecutors charged Jamshid Ghomi, 63, of Newport Coast, California, with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which governs U.S. sanctions on Iran. He was expected to make his initial court appearance in Santa Ana on the day of his arrest.
According to a criminal complaint, Ghomi founded and operated Faraz Pardaz Rayaneh Co. Ltd. (FPR), a Tehran-based computer networking company. Investigators allege that from at least 2011 through 2024, Ghomi used a network of intermediaries and front companies in the United Arab Emirates to acquire and ship controlled U.S. technology to Iran without authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Prosecutors allege Ghomi personally purchased networking equipment through online marketplaces and directly negotiated purchases from U.S. suppliers, routing products through the UAE before they reached Iran. Authorities claim more than 250 metric tons of networking equipment were smuggled into Iran between 2014 and 2018.
The complaint further alleges that FPR supplied U.S.-origin technology to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the government agency responsible for Iran’s nuclear program, as well as Iran’s Ministry of Defense and affiliated military entities. Federal investigators say FPR became an approved vendor for the atomic energy agency and maintained contracts with defense-related organizations.
Authorities contend Ghomi took deliberate steps to conceal the transactions, including using front companies, removing his name from shipping documents, omitting invoices, and disguising shipments. Internal communications allegedly referred to Iran as the “Motherland” when discussing procurement activities.
Federal prosecutors also allege Ghomi laundered proceeds from the business into the United States. According to the complaint, more than $15 million was transferred from Iran into U.S. accounts through foreign trading companies and exchange houses using descriptions such as “Buying Goods” and “For Consulting Fees.”
Investigators claim Ghomi falsely reported the funds as a foreign inheritance while reporting relatively little income on federal tax returns. During the same period, authorities say he financed the construction of a Newport Coast mansion valued at approximately $35 million using proceeds from the alleged sanctions-evasion scheme.
The Justice Department said it intends to seek forfeiture of assets connected to the alleged offenses, including the Orange County property.
The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security.
A criminal complaint contains allegations only. Ghomi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
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