Evergreen Reporter

Jeffrey Chance Nader, a 66-year-old U.S.-Iranian national from Arcadia, California, has been arrested on charges related to the procurement of U.S.-manufactured aircraft components in violation of U.S. economic sanctions and other federal laws. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, FBI Assistant Director David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office, and Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod.

The indictment alleges that since at least 2023, Nader and others conspired to purchase and export nearly three dozen aircraft components from the United States to Iran. Some of these components are intended for use on military aircraft operated by Iran’s armed forces, including the F-4 fighter jet.

Nader allegedly coordinated the purchase of these components with business associates in Iran based on orders he received from customers there. He reportedly identified himself and his company, Pro Aero Capital based in California, as the end-user to U.S.-based suppliers. These suppliers were located across the United States.

Once obtained, Nader attempted multiple times to export these components, which were then transshipped to Iran. However, none of these transactions were successfully completed as they were detained by a Special Agent with the Department of Commerce.

“Attacks by Iran and its proxies on U.S. allies in the Middle East and its ongoing supply of Russia with drones and other technology to be used in its illegal war against Ukraine demonstrate why we must do all that we can to stop Iran from acquiring U.S. parts, services, and technology,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.

"Today's action demonstrates the Justice Department's commitment to keeping military-grade equipment out of the hands of the Iranian regime," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen.

“Today’s indictment alleges that this defendant circumvented U.S. sanctions and illegally procured aircraft components on behalf of Iran,” said FBI Assistant Director David Sundberg.

“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.

Nader was arrested yesterday and had an initial appearance in the Central District of California.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security with significant assistance from the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven B. Wasserman for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Sean Heiden of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

This prosecution is coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force led by both Departments of Justice and Commerce aimed at preventing critical technology acquisition by authoritarian regimes.

An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.