U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an Iranian national at Los Angeles International Airport for violating U.S. export laws. The arrest, which took place on July 10, involved Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, who is accused of exporting U.S.-made electronic components to Iran using companies in the United Arab Emirates as intermediaries.
Eddy Wang, Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge, commented on the arrest: “The circumvention of export laws to provide Iran with U.S. origin sensitive technologies is a huge national security concern.” He added that the arrest removed “a dangerous member of an Iranian procurement network off the street.”
Ostovari faces charges under several federal statutes, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Iranian transactions and sanctions regulations. From May 2018 to July 2025, he allegedly exported sophisticated computer processors and railway signaling equipment to Iran without proper licensing.
Despite becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued his activities by supplying electronics to a Tehran-based engineering company he controlled. This company secured contracts with the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways.
The indictment claims Ostovari provided false information about the end use of U.S.-origin goods and concealed their true destination from American companies. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.
This investigation was conducted collaboratively by ICE HSI Los Angeles, the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.
ICE encourages anyone with information on illegal exports of sensitive technologies to contact their tip line at 1-866-347-2423.
