Judge Grants Bail to Engineer in U.S.-Iran Export Violation Case

An Iranian-born engineer, Mahdi Sadeghi, was granted bail by a U.S. judge after being charged with conspiring to illicitly export technology to Iran. Amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, the judge found the risk of fleeing reduced. Sadeghi awaits trial under strict home detention conditions.

A U.S. judge has granted bail to an Iranian-born engineer facing charges of illegally exporting technology with potential military applications to Iran. The decision comes shortly before the trial and amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, which began following strikes from the United States and Israel.

Judge Indira Talwani, who previously denied bail due to flight risk concerns, noted the change in geopolitical circumstances, referencing Sadeghi's family's intentions to remain in the U.S. Additionally, the conflict in Iran reduces the attractiveness of returning to the country.

Sadeghi has pled not guilty to allegations tied to violations of U.S. export control laws. The technology in question allegedly serves Iran's Revolutionary Guard and was reportedly employed in a drone strike on a U.S. post in Jordan.