Washington says it dismantled Iranian group targeting US technology firms
The US Department of State has announced what it described as the dismantling of an Iranian network accused of impersonating American companies and defrauding US businesses to obtain sensitive technology for Iran’s military sector.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the network, allegedly led by Ali Majd Sepehr, “defrauded dozens of American technology companies of millions of dollars by posing as legitimate US businesses”.
Announcing new sanctions, Pigott said the measures form part of Washington’s broader “Economic Fury” campaign against Iran and target individuals and entities accused of working on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics to “fraudulently procure restricted goods from US companies”.
According to the State Department, Sepehr and his associates sought to acquire advanced equipment and technology for Iran’s defence sector through deceptive procurement activities.