Iranian national sentenced to 18 months for routing US sensitive military technology through China

SEATTLE, Sept 26: A 44-year-old Iranian national has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a scheme to obtain sensitive US technology and route it to Iran through China, more than a decade after federal prosecutors first indicted him.

Reza Dindar, also known as Renda Dindar, pleaded guilty earlier this year after being arrested in Panama and extradited to the United States. US District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez sentenced Dindar in Seattle on Friday to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine.

The case dates back to an August 2014 federal grand jury indictment. Panamanian authorities arrested Dindar in July 2025 at the request of the United States, and he was extradited to the US in April 2026. About six weeks later, he pleaded guilty to two counts of exporting goods to an embargoed country and two counts of smuggling goods from the United States.

According to court records, Dindar operated New Port Sourcing Solutions in Xi’an, China, between 2010 and 2014. Prosecutors said he used the company to conceal purchases intended for companies in Iran and falsely told US suppliers that the equipment would be used in China.

In 2011 and 2012, Dindar and his co-conspirators allegedly used the scheme to purchase parts for three military sonar systems from a company in Washington state. They claimed the systems were intended for a Chinese company, but according to Dindar’s plea agreement, the parts were to be shipped through China and ultimately re-exported to Iran.

US prosecutors said the transactions violated American export controls and sanctions imposed on Iran. The restrictions prohibit unauthorized exports, re-exports, sales and supplies of US goods, technology and services to Iran or the Iranian government, including certain transactions involving third countries when there is knowledge or reason to believe the goods will ultimately reach Iran.

Federal prosecutors cited national security concerns in seeking an 18-month prison sentence. Judge Martinez also noted the more than 10-year gap between the underlying conduct and sentencing.

Dindar will serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.

The case was investigated by the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant US Attorney Todd Greenberg prosecuted the case.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Panama to secure Dindar’s arrest and extradition, while the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service also provided assistance.

The case highlights how US export controls can apply to transactions routed through third countries when restricted goods are ultimately intended for a sanctioned destination such as Iran.