Federal prosecutors have charged Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi for supplying technology to Iran used in a deadly drone attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members. Abedininajabadi was arrested in Italy, while Sadeghi was arrested in Massachusetts. Both face serious charges tied to violations of international economic laws and terrorism support-related activities.
Federal prosecutors have charged two individuals, Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, for unlawfully supplying sensitive technology to Iran, implicated in a deadly drone strike at a U.S. military base in Jordan, resulting in the deaths of three service members and injuries to over 40 others. Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian national residing in Massachusetts, was arrested alongside Abedininajafabadi, who was apprehended in Italy and is currently facing extradition. The drone utilized in the assault was traced back to Abedininajafadi’s company, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), categorized as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
In a statement, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco declared that the arrests signify a firm message against those aiding Iran’s acts of terror. The January 28 attack on U.S. base Tower 22 was attributed to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a militia group with Iranian backing, which Iran has denied. Legal documents reveal that Abedininajabadi’s company produced navigation modules used within IRGC military drones, and prosecutors argue that Sadeghi’s role was critical in circumventing U.S. export regulations to facilitate these operations.
The tragic fatalities included Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, all serving in the 926th Engineer Brigade; their sacrifices drew a poignant response from U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, who expressed hope that the arrests would provide justice to the victims’ families. The charged individuals face substantial prison sentences, up to 20 years for conspiracy and possibly life imprisonment for Abedininajabadi due to charges of supporting a foreign terrorist organization.
Prosecutors assert that these charges exemplify a relentless commitment to holding accountable those conspiring to export advanced U.S. technologies to entities like Iran, highlighting the dangers posed by such actions.
The ongoing concern regarding Iran’s military capabilities, particularly in relation to drone technology, remains a critical issue for U.S. and allied security. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been designated a terrorist organization, and its equipment and technology acquisitions have continually raised alarms within the international community. The recent drone attack in Jordan serves to illustrate the potential consequences of such illicit technology transfers, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enforcing laws against aiding state-sponsored terrorism.
The arrests of Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajabadi underscore the serious implications of transferring sensitive technology to hostile entities. With their charges reflecting a comprehensive legal framework aimed at countering terrorism, the U.S. government aims to deter further attempts at undermining national security through such illegal transactions. The tragic loss of American lives further amplifies the urgency of these legal actions and the commitment to justice for victims and their families.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
