Two Men Charged in Boston Federal Court Over Fatal Drone Strike that Killed U.S. Service Members

Two individuals have been indicted in federal court in Boston for their alleged involvement in a deadly drone strike on a U.S. military base in Jordan, resulting in the deaths of three U.S. servicemen and injuries to over four dozen others. The charges were filed against 42-year-old Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian national from Natick, Massachusetts, and 38-year-old Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian national, by federal prosecutors in Massachusetts.

Allegations and Charges

The indictment alleges that Sadeghi and Abedini conspired to violate U.S. export laws by conspiring to export electronic components to Iran. Sadeghi is accused of facilitating the procurement of U.S. export-controlled electronic components from his place of employment, a microelectronics manufacturer based in Massachusetts, for Abedini's use in Iran. The indictment specifies that the components were intended for use in the Iranian company's military drone program.

Additionally, Abedini faces a charge of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The indictments allege that since around 2014, the Iranian company, San’at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak Co. (SDRA), founded and managed by Abedini, had multiple projects with the IRGC Aerospace Force, which is involved in the development of guided rockets and integrated navigation systems for military purposes.

Following the drone strike on the Tower 22 base in Jordan, analysis of the recovered drone revealed that it was an Iranian Shahed UAV utilized by militants supported by the IRGC. The drone's navigation system, the Sepehr Navigation System, was identified as being manufactured by Abedini’s company. The strike caused the death of three U.S. service members and injuries to over 40 individuals, prompting the federal investigation.

The indictment further alleges that to circumvent U.S. export control laws, Abedini established a front company in Switzerland, Illumove SA, for his Iranian company. Moreover, Sadeghi is said to have received funding from the Iranian government for a technology company he co-founded in Massachusetts specializing in wearable sensors for fitness applications.

Legal Consequences and Penalties

These serious allegations carry severe legal consequences for both Sadeghi and Abedini. The conspiracy to violate export laws charge could result in each defendant facing up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. For Abedini, the additional charge of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death could lead to a sentence of up to life in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Responses and Next Steps

Following the arrests, Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to holding accountable those who enable the Iranian regime to target and kill Americans and undermine the national security of the United States. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Joshua S. Levy, underscored the potential grievous harm that arises when highly sophisticated American technologies subject to export controls end up in the hands of adversaries.

As the legal proceedings progress, Sadeghi is currently being held pending a detention hearing set for December 27. Abedini, arrested in Italy at the request of the United States, awaits further developments regarding his legal representation and the logistics of being brought to the U.S. to face charges.

Background on Exports

The allegations against Sadeghi and Abedini shed light on the complexities of preventing sensitive technologies from being exported to potential adversaries, especially in the context of international relations and national security. The role of U.S. export control laws is critical in safeguarding advanced technologies that could be misused for military or hostile purposes.

The potential risks posed by the transfer of sophisticated technologies to entities such as the IRGC underscore the importance of rigorous enforcement of export controls. The implications for national security and the safety of U.S. service members stationed abroad are significant concerns that warrant stringent oversight and prosecution of any attempts to circumvent these controls.

The legal battles ahead for Sadeghi and Abedini will involve navigating complex issues related to international law, extraterritorial jurisdiction, and the intricacies of U.S. export regulations. The outcome of these cases will likely have implications for the enforcement of export controls, as well as broader discussions around safeguarding American technologies from falling into the wrong hands.