Charges Explained for Iranian-American in Atlanta Court; Charge: Violation of Sanctions Against the Islamic Republic

The federal jury in Atlanta has charged Jalal Hajavi, a 59-year-old from Sterling, Virginia, with 'attempting to violate Iran transaction regulations and sanctions and illegally exporting goods from the United States.' The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia stated, 'Mr. Hajavi is accused of using his business to illegally export heavy equipment to Iran via the United Arab Emirates. The purpose of U.S. trade sanctions against Iran is to help maintain the security of our country and our citizens, and those who seek to profit by evading these prohibitions will be held accountable.' John Johnson, a special representative of the U.S. Department of Commerce, also commented on Hajavi's charges, saying, 'Falsifying export documents in an attempt to conceal the transfer of American goods through the UAE to Iran is a serious violation of U.S. export laws and will be thoroughly investigated. The export of dual-use American goods to countries like Iran that threaten U.S. national security remains prohibited.' According to court documents, Jalal Hajavi, through his business in Miami, contacted an individual in Iran to indirectly export American heavy machinery to Iran without first obtaining the necessary licenses from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Hajavi is also accused of evading the requirements of the Office of Foreign Assets Control by providing false information to the automated export system, thereby concealing his activities with the Iranian associate. The final ruling for this defendant, who is accused of circumventing sanctions, is set to be issued on December 14.