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American pleads guilty to exporting sensors for Iran

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, May 18, 2006

WASHINGTON — The United States has convicted an American of exporting dual-use components destined for Iran that could be used in bombs.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said Mohammad Fazeli, a 27-year-old Los Angeles resident, has pleaded guilty to an attempt to export the components. Fazeli, an American of Iranian descent, was arrested on March 16 on charges of trying to ship sensors to Iran by way of a third country, Middle East Newsline reported.

Over the last 27 years, the United States has barred most military and dual-use technology and components to Iran. In the late 1970s, Congress passed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which stipulated a license for most technology shipments to Iran.

The sensors have been produced by the U.S. firm Honeywell. ICE said that on May 8 Fazeli admitted to one count of an attempt to illegally export more than 100 of the sensors.

"The sensors, which detect the pressure of liquid or gas, could potentially be used to detonate explosive devices," the agency said in a statement.

In September 2004, Fazeli was said to have ordered 103 pressure sensors through a website operated by a U.S. electronics firm. Officials said the company had warned him that its products required an export license.

ICE said Fazeli sought to sell the banned electronic components through the United Arab Emirates. From the UAE, the agency said, the sensors were meant to be transported to Iran.

"Despite that, after receiving the parts, Fazeli allegedly attempted to send them to the United Arab Emirates, with the understanding that the devices would ultimately be shipped to Iran," the agency said.

Fazeli, convicted of violating the IEEPA, was scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 7. Officials said he faces a jail term of up to 10 years. Officials said this was the latest case of an Iranian attempt to import U.S. military and dual-use components and systems. They said Iran has focused on components for U.S.-origin F-14 and F-4 fighter-aircraft procured by Teheran in the 1970s.


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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