PHILADELPHIA–Two Iranian immigrants violated a U.S. embargo by selling fuel-cell technology, centrifuges, computer equipment and other materials they knew were destined for their home country, according to an indictment today.
Mohammad Reza Vaghari, 41, of Broomall, and Mir Hossein Ghaemi, 42, of Edgewood, Md., are accused of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The men were arrested at their homes today, said Patricia Hartman, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office in Philadelphia. Vaghari's passport was seized and he was released from federal custody; Ghaemi remained in custody today pending surrender of his passport.
Conducting business under the name Saamen Company LLC, the two men conspired to export goods that included electrical, laboratory, medical and computing equipment; ultrasonic liquid processors; fuel cell technology; automobile parts; and centrifuges, the grand jury indictment said.
Between 2002 and the present, the two shipped the goods to unknown conspirators in the United Arab Emirates, knowing they were eventually destined for Iran, authorities said.
Vaghari also allegedly made false statements in connection with his attempt to obtain U.S. citizenship around November 2004; since 1998, authorities said, he has had a permanent resident card that was procured fraudulently.
Ghaemi became a lawful permanent U.S. resident in 2001.
Telephone listings for both men could not be located; it was not immediately clear if either had an attorney.
