Former FAA Contractor Charged for Allegedly Spying for Iran

A former FAA contractor, Abouzar Rahmati, has been indicted for allegedly spying for Iran, raising alarming concerns about national security.

At a Glance

Abouzar Rahmati, a former FAA contractor, has been indicted for allegedly spying for Iran.
Rahmati, a naturalized US citizen born in Iran, previously served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
He allegedly lied about his IRGC service to obtain a government contracting job.
Rahmati conspired with Iranian officials and operatives from December 2017 to June 2024.
He downloaded and transferred sensitive FAA documents to Iran.

Allegations Against Abouzar Rahmati

Abouzar Rahmati, a 42-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Iran, has been indicted on charges of acting as an agent for the Iranian government. Rahmati served as a First Lieutenant in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, from June 2009 to May 2010.

In December 2017, Rahmati allegedly began collaborating with Iranian intelligence officials, meeting and agreeing to provide sensitive information. By August 2017, he had already started communicating with a high-ranking Iranian government official he knew from college, reports say. Rahmati’s interactions and agreements to act on behalf of Iran were allegedly carried out while using a cover story related to academic research on solar energy.

Sensitive Data Compromises

Rahmati obtained a job with a company supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), working on the “power and electrical architecture of the FAA’s National Airspace System,” according to the DOJ. He then downloaded sensitive non-public FAA documents and transported them to Iran in April 2022.

“This indictment describes the reprehensible actions of an individual who allegedly betrayed his country by transferring sensitive US information to a foreign power,” according to Robert Wells, the executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch.

Rahmati allegedly used his position to access and pass on both non-public and open-source materials about the U.S. solar energy industry to an Iranian official. Moreover, he is accused of transmitting additional information regarding U.S. airports and air traffic control towers to his brother, who reportedly acted as an intermediary for Iranian intelligence.

Former FAA contractor indicted for illegally acting as an agent of the Iranian government — allegedly conspired with Iranian intelligence operatives to obtain employment as a federal contractor and share sensitive government materials with Iran. https://t.co/3OBqPr8Lev

— NCSC (@NCSCgov) September 27, 2024

Government and Legal Response

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen emphasized the need to identify and prosecute undisclosed foreign agents. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is using all available tools to go after agents infiltrating American companies or government agencies.

The investigation was handled by the FBI’s Washington Field Office with support from the FAA’s Office of Investigations and Professional Responsibility. Prosecution involves a team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and attorneys from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. An indictment is an allegation, and Rahmati, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Further Developments

Rahmati appeared in court in the District of Columbia and faces considerable charges based on the extensive evidence documented by the DOJ. The situation underscores the importance of robust internal security measures and vigilance against potential infiltrations that could jeopardize national security and economic stability.

“When undisclosed agents of Iran or any other foreign government seek to infiltrate American companies or government agencies, the Justice Department will use every available tool to identify them and bring them to justice.,” Olsen said.

Authorities continue to scrutinize Rahmati’s activities closely, aiming to ensure that all collaborators and supporting networks are thoroughly investigated and addressed.