Iranian Resident Charged With Illegally Shipping Controlled Goods to Iran

An Iranian resident was arrested after he tried to illegally ship “computer numerical control machines” from the U.S. to Iran, the Justice Department said in an Aug. 20 press release. Mehdi Hashemi is charged with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by trying to ship the machines, which are “used to process raw materials, such as metals, to precise standards,” the press release said. The machines are controlled for “nuclear non-proliferation and anti-terrorism reasons.” Hashemi pleaded not guilty.

The Justice Department said Hashemi bought the machines from U.S. and Canadian suppliers and “made arrangements to ship” them to the United Arab Emirates “under false and forged invoices and packing lists.” Hashemi then planned to forward the goods from the UAE to Iran, the press release said, on behalf of a Tehran-based company “that claimed to manufacture textiles, medical and automotive components, and spare parts.” If convicted of all charges in the 21-count indictment, Hashemi faces a maximum penalty of 320 years in prison.