A Massachusetts man was convicted in federal court in Boston on June 5 for his role in a scheme to illegally export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran. Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 43, a dual U.S.-Iranian national residing in Natick, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), as well as two counts of violating those laws. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 13.
Sadeghi was charged by criminal complaint in December 2024 alongside Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, also known as Mohammad Abedini, of Tehran, who remains a fugitive. They were later indicted by a federal grand jury and charged again in a superseding indictment in December 2025.
“This defendant exploited his access to sophisticated U.S. technology to help funnel sensitive electronic components to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions and export control laws. These laws exist to protect our national security by preventing these high-tech components from reaching – and being used by – hostile foreign actors and terrorist organizations. This verdict makes clear that individuals who conspire to evade U.S. sanctions will be held accountable,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said, “This guilty verdict demonstrates the National Security Division’s commitment to holding accountable those who violate U.S. sanctions against Iran… For years, Sadeghi conspired to and did send sensitive microelectronic parts from the United States to Iran through a company in Europe despite receiving training on U.S. sanctions and export law.” Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI’s Boston Division, said, “This verdict should serve as a wake-up call… There’s no question Mr. Sadeghi put his own personal interests ahead of our country’s best interests.”
According to court documents, Abedini is founder of an Iranian company manufacturing navigation modules used for military drones sold primarily to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization since April 2019.
Sadeghi worked at a Massachusetts-based microelectronics manufacturer and co-founded another technology company specializing in wearable sensors for fitness applications before conspiring with others—including Abedini—to procure goods from his employer for supply ultimately benefiting SDRA, Abedini’s firm tied closely with IRGC drone programs.
In or around 2016, Sadeghi traveled to Iran seeking funding for his business through the Iranian National Elites Foundation; this resulted both in financial support and creation of another company that contracted with SDRA for its proprietary navigation system technology.
Due to restrictions on exports directly into Iran, Abedini established Illumove SA—a Swiss front—for purchasing products developed using American electronics including accelerometers used within guidance systems later reexported into Iran via Switzerland.
Court records allege that between 2021–2022 about 99 percent of sales from SDRA’s Sepehr Navigation System—used within IRGC one-way attack drones—were made directly or indirectly supporting IRGC operations such as guided rockets or integrated navigation systems projects since at least 2014.
A January drone attack killing three American service members involved an Iranian Shahed UAV whose recovered navigation system had been manufactured by SDRA according analysis referenced during trial proceedings.
The charges carry potential penalties up to twenty years’ imprisonment per count plus fines; sentencing will be determined under applicable guidelines after further proceedings before Judge Indira Talwani.
The office prosecuting this case enforces federal law across Massachusetts—including matters involving national security—and employs over two hundred staff based out of facilities such as Boston’s John Joseph Moakley Courthouse along with branch offices serving residents statewide, according to the official website.