Two men, including dual Iranian American citizen Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, have been charged with conspiring to export sensitive technology to Iran, which is linked to a drone attack that killed three American troops on January 28, 2024.

The drone used in the attack was equipped with a navigation system manufactured by a company linked to Sadeghi, which has raised concerns about American technology falling into the wrong hands.

Sadeghi, who was arrested at his Massachusetts home without incident, is described as a naturalized U.S. citizen who allegedly facilitated the strengthening of terrorist capabilities.

The semiconductor company where Sadeghi worked has been notified of the charges and is cooperating with the FBI in the ongoing investigation.

Sadeghi, employed by Analog Devices Inc. since March 2019, allegedly introduced his co-conspirator Abedini to company officials, furthering their plot to export sensitive technology.

Evidence from the FBI affidavit includes emails indicating that Sadeghi and his partners were aware that their activities violated U.S. law, including discussions about a potential Iranian sister company.

Both Sadeghi and Abedini face severe penalties, with Sadeghi risking up to 20 years in prison and Abedini facing life imprisonment due to his involvement with a foreign terrorist organization.

The investigation is ongoing, with federal officials continuing to gather evidence and the potential for more arrests in the case.

The Massachusetts company involved in the technology leak has been notified and is cooperating with federal investigators as the case unfolds.

U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy expressed hope that the charges would provide justice for the victims' families, emphasizing the dangers of American technology falling into the wrong hands.

The deceased soldiers, identified as Staff Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Sergeant Breonna Moffett, were part of a coalition mission stationed at Tower 22, which has seen an increase in violence against U.S. forces.

Following the attack, the U.S. responded with a counterstrike against 85 sites in Iraq and Syria associated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its militias, while also strengthening defenses at Tower 22.