Story perspectives

California Man Arrested for $15 M Laundering, Iran Gear Smuggling

6/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Jamshid Ghomi was arrested in Newport Coast, California on charges of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Prosecutors say he shipped over 250 metric tons of U.S. networking gear to Iran’s nuclear and defense agencies from 2014 to 2018.
He allegedly laundered over $15 million through shell companies in the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Turkey and the UAE.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli seeks prison time and seizure of Ghomi’s assets, including the $35 million mansion.

History

Historical Context

The United States' Iran and Libya Sanctions Act, signed 5 August 1996, built on 1995 executive orders that barred U.S. investment in Iran’s energy sector and froze about $11 billion of Iranian assets after the 1979 hostage crisis. Under the act, OFAC pursued Jamshid Ghomi, whose 2014-2018 shipment of 250 metric tons of networking gear prompted Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli to file charges, showing renewed sanctions enforcement.

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Story summary

Jamshid Ghomi was arrested in Newport Coast, California on charges of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Prosecutors say he shipped over 250 metric tons of U.S. networking gear to Iran’s nuclear and defense agencies from 2014 to 2018.
He allegedly laundered over $15 million through shell companies in the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Turkey and the UAE.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli seeks prison time and seizure of Ghomi’s assets, including the $35 million mansion.

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