2 Iranians Arrested in Connection With Deadly Drone Strike

Two Iranians have been arrested for allegedly supplying technology used in a deadly drone attack on US troops.

At a Glance

Two Iranian men have been charged with exporting sensitive technology to Iran.
The technology is linked to a drone attack that killed three US troops in Jordan.
The FBI traced the drone’s navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one defendant.
The suspects allegedly used a Swiss front company to bypass US export restrictions.
The arrests highlight ongoing tensions between US and Iran-backed militias

FBI Uncovers Iranian Connection in Deadly Drone Attack

The FBI has arrested two Iranian men in connection with a catastrophic drone strike that claimed the lives of three American soldiers and injured over 40 others at a US outpost in Jordan. The attack, which occurred on January 28, has been attributed to an Iran-backed militia group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The arrests shed light on the complex web of international technology transfers and their deadly consequences.

Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, an Iranian national, was apprehended in Italy and is awaiting extradition to the United States. His alleged co-conspirator, Mahdi Sadeghi, a naturalized US citizen of Iranian origin, was arrested in Massachusetts. Both men face charges related to export control violations, with Abedini additionally charged with conspiring to provide material support to Iran.

#BREAKING: #FBI Boston will join our partners at a 5:15 pm news conference to announce the arrests of two Iranian men for export violations & providing material support to Iran in connection with a fatal drone strike that killed three U.S. service members & injured 40+ others.

— FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) December 16, 2024

Sophisticated Scheme to Bypass US Export Restrictions

The investigation revealed a sophisticated operation to circumvent US export controls. Sadeghi, employed by a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company, allegedly used a Swiss shell company to facilitate the illegal shipment of restricted items to Iran. Abedininajafabadi, owner of an Iranian company manufacturing navigation systems for military drones, was the alleged recipient of this sensitive technology.

“We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands. Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating,” US Attorney Joshua Levy said.

The FBI’s investigation traced the navigation system used in the deadly drone attack to Abedininajafabadi’s company, which is believed to have ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. This connection underscores the direct link between the illegally exported technology and the tragic loss of American lives.

Impact on US Military and Regional Tensions

The drone attack targeted Tower 22, a strategic US outpost in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border. At the time, approximately 350 US Army and Air Force personnel were stationed at the base. The strike, carried out by a one-way uncrewed aerial system, impacted living quarters and was initially mistaken for a US drone.

“To the people who were injured by this attack, to the loved ones and family members of the people who lost their lives, as the son of a combat veteran I humbly hope that today’s charges bring some measure of justice and accountability.” – Levy stated.

In response to the attack, the United States launched counterstrikes against sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. This retaliatory action highlights the escalating tensions in the region, particularly in the wake of events following October 2023.

Ongoing Investigations and National Security Implications

The arrests of Abedininajafabadi and Sadeghi represent a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to protect US technology from falling into the hands of adversaries. The case underscores the critical importance of enforcing export controls and the potentially devastating consequences when these regulations are circumvented.

As the legal proceedings against the two suspects unfold, questions remain about the full extent of Iran’s involvement in attacks on US forces and the broader implications for regional stability. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by American troops deployed in the Middle East and the persistent threat posed by Iran-backed militias.