Two men have been charged with conspiring to export sensitive technology to Iran, implicated in the January drone attack on U.S. troops stationed at Tower 22, Jordan—a strike which left three Georgia soldiers dead and dozens more injured. The Justice Department announced the charges, indicating the serious ramifications of illegal export practices and the delicate intertwining of global military dynamics.
The defendants are Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, who holds dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship and resides in Massachusetts, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, 38, who was arrested Monday in Milan, Italy. Both are accused of conspiring to evade U.S. sanctions and supply the Iranian government with drone navigation technology used during the deadly assault.
On January 28, 2023, the attack on Tower 22—a U.S. base located near the Jordan-Syria border—occurred when the drone crashed directly onto military quarters, mistakenly identified as American. The attack resulted not only in the loss of three soldiers—Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Sgt. Breonna Moffett, and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders—but also wounded 47 others. Surveillance indicated the drone was linked to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militant groups.
The case’s revelations have drawn considerable attention, particularly related to the U.S. technology employed by hostile entities. “We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting to dangerous hands,” stated U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, emphasizing the very real threats posed by such transfers.
Both men face serious legal allegations with significant consequences. Sadeghi, cited as working for Massachusetts-based semiconductor manufacturer Analog Devices, has been accused of aiding Abedininajafabadi by supplying U.S.-controlled electric components. Allegedly, Sadeghi facilitated the export through the establishment of front companies to bypass U.S. export laws, which has unfolded as part of broader investigations by the FBI.
“Today, working with our partners here and abroad, we have charged and arrested two men who conspired to evade U.S. sanctions and supply the Iranian government with the type of drone navigation technology used in the attack,” U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco articulated during the announcement of the charges.
Investigators noted how Abedininajafabadi's company manufactured navigation systems for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, demonstrating the systemic issue of Western technology finding its way to enemy forces. The navigation equipment was traced back to the drone employed during the attack, underscoring the need for diligent compliance with export regulations.
During court proceedings, Sadeghi’s flight risk status arose, warranting his detention pending future hearings. His defense team has yet to publicly comment on the charges. Meanwhile, the U.S. has communicated with local authorities in Italy, processing Abedininajafabadi’s extradition request.
The January drone strike was marked as the first such deadly incident against U.S. forces since the rekindling of violence following the Hamas attacks on Israel. This incident also incited retaliatory actions by the U.S., which launched counterstrikes against militia positions across Iraq and Syria.
With the legal actions against Sadeghi and Abedininajafabadi, the Department of Justice reiterated its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for attacks on U.S. servicemembers. “These charges today underline the Department of Justice will not cease...to seek justice for servicemembers who were killed and harmed overseas,” Levy reaffirmed, underlining the charges' broader significance.
U.S. officials continue to navigate the complex relationship with Iran amid growing regional tensions. Iran, through government spokespeople, has denied any involvement pertaining to the Jordan attack, yet the linkage of its citizens to such acts raises grave concerns for future U.S.-Iranian relations.
Following the broader geopolitical shifts, including responses to the drone strike and those involved, it's clear the United States is confronting complex challenges. The ramifications of allowing sensitive technology to fall through the cracks continue to present challenges for both national security and international diplomacy.
