Busted: U.S.-Iranian Man's Plot to Smuggle Military Parts to Iran Foiled

 

Caught in the Act: The FBI Takedown of an Iranian Military Parts Smuggler

In a move straight out of a spy thriller, U.S.-Iranian national Jeffrey Chance Nader, 68, was nabbed in California for trying to sneak military-grade aircraft parts to Iran. The Justice Department isn't playing around when it comes to keeping sensitive U.S. tech out of the wrong hands, and this arrest sends a clear message: if you’re trying to funnel American-made military equipment to hostile regimes, they’re going to catch you.

Nader's scheme, which kicked off in 2023, involved misleading U.S. suppliers about who he was and what he was up to. He was trying to send nearly three dozen aircraft components to Iran, parts that could keep Iranian planes and drones flying. But thanks to a sharp-eyed special agent from the Department of Commerce, Nader's attempts were intercepted, including one sneaky try to route the parts through the United Arab Emirates.

As U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves pointed out, this is about more than just one guy’s illegal hustle. Iran’s continued attacks on U.S. allies in the Middle East and their support of Russia’s war in Ukraine show why it’s crucial to stop them from getting their hands on U.S. parts and technology. This bust is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle, as the U.S. works to shut down the criminal networks supplying sensitive tech to dangerous regimes.

Americans should be grateful for this bust because it prevents critical military-grade equipment from falling into the hands of a hostile regime like Iran, which has a history of using such technology against U.S. interests and allies. By intercepting these aircraft components, U.S. authorities have not only disrupted a criminal network but also safeguarded national security. Stopping these parts from reaching Iran means reducing the risk of these materials being used to enhance military capabilities that could threaten U.S. forces, allies in the Middle East, and even contribute to global instability. This bust is a clear example of how proactive law enforcement can protect American lives and maintain global security.

The investigation into this case is ongoing, but one thing’s for sure: the U.S. is serious about keeping its military technology away from its enemies. Keep an eye on this one—there’s more to come.

Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and authors the ‘Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster’ series. Check out his latest spy thriller, ‘Mission of Vengeance’.