Orange County business owner supplied Iran with U.S. technology, federal prosecutors say

June 4, 2026 - 04:45

A Newport Coast man who operated a business based in Iran was arrested Wednesday on federal charges for allegedly smuggling American-made technology into the country over several years. Prosecutors say the equipment ended up in the hands of Iran's nuclear program, and the man never informed U.S. authorities about the shipments.

The suspect, who ran the business from his home in Orange County, is accused of violating export control laws that strictly limit the transfer of sensitive American technology to Iran. According to court documents, the scheme involved purchasing advanced equipment from U.S. suppliers and then routing it through third countries to hide its final destination. Investigators say the technology was used to support Iran's nuclear infrastructure, which remains under heavy international sanctions.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal agencies to crack down on illegal exports that could bolster Iran's military or nuclear capabilities. The man faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. If convicted, he could face decades in prison.

Authorities did not name the specific types of technology involved but described them as items controlled for national security reasons. The arrest comes as part of a broader push to prevent American goods from reaching adversaries through covert supply chains.