(Substack)—A naturalized U.S. citizen from Great Falls, Virginia, Abouzar Rahmati, 42, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to acting as an agent of the Iranian government while working as an FAA contractor from 2017 to 2024.
Rahmati, a former 1st Lieutenant in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 2009 to 2010, conspired with Iranian intelligence and government officials, providing them with sensitive U.S. aviation and solar energy information.
Between December 2017 and June 2024, Rahmati met with Iranian intelligence operatives in Iran, used a cover story to conceal his actions, and secured a job with an FAA contractor, gaining access to non-public U.S. aviation data. He offered his services to Iran in August 2017 through a former colleague tied to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.
After traveling to Iran in December 2017, he agreed to supply information on the U.S. solar industry, which he later provided to Iran’s Vice President for Science and Technology office in 2018.
As an FAA contractor, Rahmati downloaded 175 GB of sensitive files, including restricted FAA documents on the National Aerospace System, radar systems, and radio frequency data. In April 2022, he took these files to Iran on removable media and shared them with government officials. He also passed additional data on solar energy, the FAA, U.S. airports, and air traffic control to his brother in Iran for delivery to intelligence officials.
Rahmati faces up to 10 years in prison for acting as a foreign agent and five years for conspiracy. His sentencing is set for August 26.
