US-Iranian National Charged for Illicit Export of Aircraft Parts to Iran, Violating Sanctions
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the indictment of Jeffrey Chance Nader, a 68-year-old dual US-Iranian citizen, for his involvement in the illegal export of aircraft parts to Iran. This action violates longstanding U.S. economic sanctions against the country.
The indictment, which was unsealed following Nader’s arrest in California, details the illegal activities that began in 2023. It accuses Nader of conspiring to procure and export approximately 35 components, including parts used in F-4 fighter jets, without obtaining the required U.S. government permissions. These actions contravene several federal laws and regulations designed to control exports that could harm national security and foreign policy interests.
According to the Justice Department, the components involved are critical to aircraft operation and have potential military applications, making their unauthorized export particularly concerning. The indictment highlights the dual-use nature of the items—suitable for both civilian and military aircraft—underscoring the gravity of Nader’s alleged offenses.
“This action demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to keeping military-grade equipment out of the hands of the Iranian regime,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will aggressively investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable criminal networks that supply sensitive technology to hostile and repressive governments in contravention of U.S. sanctions.”
“Attacks by Iran and its proxies on U.S. allies in the Middle East and its ongoing supply of Russia with drones and other technology to be used in its illegal war against Ukraine demonstrate why we must do all that we can to stop Iran from acquiring U.S. parts, services, and technology,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The charges announced today represent the latest step in our ongoing effort to hold accountable those who illegally funnel goods and services to Iran and to deter others from doing the same.”
District of Columbia Attorney Matthew M. Graves added that Iran’s ongoing provision of drones and technology to Russia highlights the necessity of preventing Iran from accessing American-made parts and technology. “Iran’s continued supply of advanced technology to Russia emphasizes the importance of stopping their acquisition of US parts and services,” Graves noted.
According to the DOJ, Nader acted on behalf of Iranian clients, orchestrating purchases and falsely representing to US suppliers that his company, Pro Aero Capital, was the end user of the components. Pro Aero Capital, based in Long Beach, California, is listed in Dun & Bradstreet records, though its website is currently inactive.
Iran’s aviation sector has been expanding recently, with Chabahar Airlines exploring international routes and carriers like Yazd Air, Caspian Airlines, and Karun Airlines adding new aircraft to their fleets. Despite these developments, US and EU sanctions have severely restricted Iran’s ability to acquire spare parts, leading to a complex web of transactions between Iran, Russia, and Belarus.
As of the latest data from the ch-aviation fleets module, Iran has 395 commercial aviation aircraft registered, both active and inactive, across 29 carriers. The ongoing sanctions and trade restrictions continue to challenge Iran’s aviation industry, impacting its ability to maintain and upgrade its fleet.
More on DoJ article: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-indicted-unlawfully-exporting-aircraft-components-iran
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, justice.gov, rferl.org