The Justice Department yesterday unsealed an indictment charging a 68-year-old U.S.-Iranian national with crimes related to the illicit export of U.S.-manufactured aircraft components, including components used on military aircraft, to Iran.
On Tuesday, Jeffrey Chance Nader was arrested in California for violating U.S. economic sanctions and other federal laws.
Beginning at least in 2023, Nader and his conspirators tried to purchase and illegally export four types of aircraft components, totaling nearly three dozen individual pieces. Some of these components are used on military aircraft operated by Iran’s armed forces, including the F-4 fighter jet.
Nader allegedly received purchase orders from customers in Iran. He would contact U.S.-based suppliers and, in several instances, falsely identify himself and his company, California-based Pro Aero Capital, as the end user.
Once Nader obtained the components, he tried to export them to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The items were then to be transshipped to the customer in Iran. However, a special agent with the Department of Commerce detained the items discussed in the indictment, and none were successfully exported from the U.S.
“Iran has no business using U.S.-manufactured parts and components to keep their planes and drones in the sky,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security.
