Engineer Charged in Procurement of US Drone Technology for Iranian Company

A former Analog Devices engineer faces federal charges for allegedly facilitating the illegal transfer of sensitive navigation components used in military drones, highlighting ongoing challenges in preventing critical drone technology from reaching restricted entities, reports Iran International.

Mahdi Sadeghi, a dual US-Iranian citizen, pleaded not guilty to charges of violating US export control and sanctions laws. Prosecutors allege that Sadeghi leveraged his position at the Massachusetts-based semiconductor company to help procure electronic components for San’at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak Co, an Iranian navigation systems manufacturer with reported links to military drone production.

The case highlights the sophisticated networks allegedly used to circumvent export controls on drone technology. Court documents indicate Sadeghi began establishing procurement channels after a 2016 trip to Iran, eventually helping a Swiss front company secure contracts with Analog Devices that enabled access to restricted components.

The prosecution’s focus on navigation systems underscores their critical role in modern drone capabilities. These components represent a key intersection of civilian and military drone technologies, presenting ongoing challenges for export control compliance across the drone industry.

The investigation coincided with the arrest of Mohammad Abedini in Milan, Italy. Abedini, who headed the Iranian company, allegedly operated through various front companies to access US drone technology. These developments reflect the growing scrutiny of international supply chains for critical drone components.

The case raises significant implications for the drone industry’s supply chain security. Companies developing navigation systems and other dual-use drone technologies face increasing pressure to strengthen their compliance programs and due diligence processes. The incident may accelerate efforts to implement more robust tracking of sensitive components throughout the supply chain.

Within the broader context of drone technology development, the case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing innovation and accessibility with security concerns. As navigation systems become more sophisticated and essential to both commercial and military applications, maintaining effective export controls while supporting legitimate industry growth remains a critical challenge.

Sadeghi remains in custody pending a January 2 hearing to determine bail conditions. The prosecution’s focus on component-level procurement networks signals heightened attention to supply chain security in the drone industry.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​