Reza Dindar, a 44-year-old Iranian citizen indicted in 2014 for smuggling military sonar equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions, was extradited to Seattle and made his initial appearance in federal court on Monday. Dindar was arrested in Panama in July 2025 at U.S. request.

The extradition represents ongoing U.S. enforcement of Iran sanctions, part of broader tensions over Tehran’s military activities amid conflict with Israel and the United States.

The Scheme

Dindar ran a business called New Port Sourcing Solutions in Xi’an, China. In 2011 and 2012, prosecutors say he and others used deception to purchase three military sonar systems from a Washington state business for $97,600.

The group concealed that the equipment was destined for Iran and falsely claimed that no export license was needed. The systems were shipped to China and then surreptitiously sent to Iran, violating U.S. sanctions first imposed in 1995 and renewed in 2001.

For years after his 2014 indictment, Dindar’s location remained unknown until his arrest in Panama.

Charges and Arraignment

Dindar faces charges of conspiracy, smuggling, and money laundering. His attorney, Farhad Alavi, said Dindar had no comment. The arraignment is scheduled for May 1.

Law enforcement also arrested a 44-year-old Los Angeles woman Saturday at Los Angeles International Airport. She is suspected of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan, which is in its fourth year of a civil war, prosecutors said.