Story perspectives

Iranian Engineers Charged with Stealing Silicon Valley Trade Secrets

3/25/2026

Summary

Iranian Engineers Charged

Iranian software engineers — Samaneh Ghandali, Soroor Ghandali, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi — are charged with stealing trade secrets from Silicon Valley firms, including Google.
Prosecutors allege they accessed sensitive chip design data through positions, with obstruction carrying up to 20 years.
Samaneh Ghandali, a Ph.D. in computer engineering, allegedly transferred hundreds of files over two years.
They concealed activities by submitting false affidavits and photographing confidential information before a trip to Iran.

Summary

Iranian Espionage Charges

The Department of Justice charged Iranian software engineers Samaneh Ghandali, Soroor Ghandali, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi with stealing trade secrets from Silicon Valley firms, including Google.
The trio allegedly accessed confidential information through their jobs and transferred it to Iran, exfiltrating documents related to processor security and cryptography.
All three have pleaded not guilty.
U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian emphasized protecting American innovation against such espionage.

History

Historical Context

The Economic Espionage Act was enacted in 1996 to address rising concerns over trade secret theft, exemplified by cases like Xiaodong Meng's conviction for selling military software to China. Recent charges against Iranian engineers Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali highlight ongoing tensions in technology and national security, emphasizing the importance of protecting American innovation, as noted by U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian.

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Iranian Engineers Charged

Iranian software engineers — Samaneh Ghandali, Soroor Ghandali, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi — are charged with stealing trade secrets from Silicon Valley firms, including Google.
Prosecutors allege they accessed sensitive chip design data through positions, with obstruction carrying up to 20 years.
Samaneh Ghandali, a Ph.D. in computer engineering, allegedly transferred hundreds of files over two years.
They concealed activities by submitting false affidavits and photographing confidential information before a trip to Iran.

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