Jamshid Ghomi – An Iranian-born American citizen was arrested in Southern California on Wednesday after FBI allegations that he smuggled more than 250 tons of networking and encryption hardware worth millions of dollars into Iran for over a decade—routing shipments through th
In the early hours of Wednesday, a man believed to have built a long-running pipeline of sensitive technology out of Southern California was taken out of his home in handcuffs.
The FBI arrested Iranian-born American citizen Jamshid Ghomi in the region for allegedly smuggling millions of dollars worth of tech hardware into Iran. Ghomi. 63. was escorted away from his Newport Beach home. where video shown during the broadcast had him wearing a white V-neck shirt and appearing unkempt.
The government’s case. laid out in the allegations described in the coverage. portrays something far more methodical than a one-off shipment. For more than a decade. the FBI says Ghomi orchestrated hundreds of purchases of networking and encryption components for the Islamic regime. Prosecutors allege the scale was enormous: “He sent more than 250 tons of networking and encryption hardware worth millions of dollars to Iran.”.
The shipments, according to the claims described, were routed through the United Arab Emirates. That step—Ghomi allegedly used it to “skirt U.S. law and obscure the real destination”—is the centerpiece of how the scheme is described: not just sending technology. but trying to keep the trail pointed away from Iran.
Ghomi’s communications and filings are also at the center of the government’s narrative. Coverage described an account from Ghomi referring to Iran as the “motherland,” alongside electronic communications obtained by law enforcement. The allegations further claim he kept his name off invoices and lied about how he made a living in government filings.
In those claims. Ghomi went so far as to assert that the most money he made in a year was $20. 000—an income level that allowed him to claim an earned income tax credit. But the FBI’s account says the earnings were far higher. The government alleges Ghomi made at least $15 million during the years-long plan.
The case also describes international activity meant to support the broader operation. The FBI alleges Ghomi made at least 11 overseas trips as part of the scheme.
Even the life portrayed in his address is part of the government’s argument. Coverage said Ghomi lived in a 14,000 square foot beachfront mansion that cost $35 million.
One FBI agent, quoted in the broadcast, characterized the alleged conduct bluntly: “He aided our enemies, provided them sensitive U.S. computer components for their government, their programs, their systems and he enriched himself, made millions of dollars doing this.”
Ghomi faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
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