4 Chinese nationals charged for allegedly smuggling electronic components from US to Iran

Four Chinese nationals are on the run, accused of unlawfully exporting U.S.-origin electronic components from the U.S. to Iran, federal prosecutors say.

The indictment, announced Wednesday, says the alleged crimes took place between May 2007 until July 2020. The suspects are accused of using an array of "front companies" in the People's Republic of China to "funnel dual-use U.S.-origin items, including electronics and components that could be utilized in the production of UAVs, ballistic missile systems, and other military end uses, to sanctioned Iranian entities with ties to the IRGC and MODAFL such as Shiraz Electronics Industries (SEI), Rayan Roshd Afzar, and their affiliates.," the press release said.

The defendants allegedly concealed the fact that the goods were destined for the Middle East and misrepresented the end destination and users to U.S. companies.