In a serious case of national security breach, a former U.S. government contractor, Abouzar Rahmati, has pleaded guilty to secretly working for the Iranian government while living and working in the United States. This case raises major concerns about internal threats and how sensitive information can be leaked by trusted individuals.
Who is Abouzar Rahmati?
Abouzar Rahmati, 42, is a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Iran and was living in Great Falls, Virginia. He worked as a contractor for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where he had access to confidential and sensitive information. He used his job to secretly collect data and pass it to the Iranian government.
How Did the Espionage Start?
In August 2017, Rahmati offered his services to Iran through a senior government official, who had ties to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. Rahmati and this official had studied at the same university. By December 2017, Rahmati travelled to Iran and met with Iranian intelligence officers. There, he agreed to collect information about the U.S. solar energy industry and to maintain communication using a fake cover story, pretending to be working on academic research.
What Information Did He Share?
After returning to the U.S. in early 2018, Rahmati began collecting both public and private information on the solar industry and handed it over to Iranian officials. He even sent sensitive documents to an Iranian government office tied to the Vice President for Science and Technology.
Later, while working for a U.S. aviation company (FAA contractor), Rahmati downloaded over 172 GB of sensitive files. These files included important FAA documents on airport radar systems, national aerospace systems, and radio frequency data. He stored them on external drives and took them back to Iran in April 2022, where he passed them on to Iranian officials.
Using Family for Further Transfers
That same month, Rahmati also sent additional information related to U.S. airports, solar panels, FAA operations, and air traffic control systems to his brother in Iran. His brother was tasked with handing the data over to Iranian intelligence officers on his behalf.
What Charges Does Rahmati Face?
Rahmati has pleaded guilty to:
- Acting as an agent of a foreign government (Iran) without informing the U.S. Attorney General
- Conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government
He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 26. He faces:
- Up to 10 years for acting as a foreign agent without notice
- Up to 5 years for conspiracy
The final sentence will be decided by a federal judge based on legal guidelines.
Investigation and Legal Action
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with major help from the FAA’s Office of Counterintelligence. Several high-level officials from the Department of Justice announced the charges. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. and the National Security Division.
The case of Abouzar Rahmati is a reminder that threats to national security can come from within. By secretly working for a foreign government and stealing sensitive U.S. data, Rahmati broke the trust of his employers and put public safety at risk. As the U.S. moves to strengthen its internal security, this case sends a strong message to anyone thinking of misusing their access to government information.
