Former FAA Contractor Pleads Guilty to Spying for Iran, Sharing Private Info on US Airports, Energy Industry

A shocking scandal has come to light in the United States, as a former contractor for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has pleaded guilty to spying for the Iranian government. Abouzar Rahmati, a 42-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen living in Great Falls, Virginia, admitted to working with Iranian intelligence operatives and government officials on their behalf while employed by the FAA between 2017 and 2024.

Rahmati's betrayal of the United States was revealed in court documents, which show that he met with Iranian intelligence agents in Iran, communicated with authorities using a cover story, and obtained sensitive information about the U.S. aviation sector and solar energy industry. He also shared private materials with his brother living in Iran, who relayed them to intelligence officials on Rahmati's behalf.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that Rahmati had offered his services to Iran in August 2017 through a former colleague who was a senior Iranian government official. This initial contact led to Rahmati traveling to Iran four months later, where he met with intelligence operatives and government officials, and agreed to gather and provide information about the solar industry in the U.S.

During his time as an FAA contractor, Rahmati downloaded at least 175 GB of files, including sensitive access-controlled documents relating to the National Aerospace System (NAS), NAS Airport Surveillance Radar systems, and radio frequency data. He stored these files on removable media, which he took to Iran in April 2022 and provided to government officials.

Rahmati's actions are a clear example of how the Iranian government has been seeking to gather intelligence on the United States, particularly in the aviation and energy sectors. This betrayal of trust is all the more egregious given Rahmati's position as a contractor for the FAA, an agency responsible for ensuring the safety of air travel in the U.S.

The DOJ charged Rahmati with conspiring to act and acting as an agent of the Iranian government in the U.S. without prior notification to the Attorney General. He pleaded guilty to these charges on Wednesday and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 26th, facing a maximum of 10 years in prison for acting as an agent of a foreign government, and up to five years in prison for conspiracy.

This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by foreign governments seeking to gather intelligence on the United States. It also underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in detecting and preventing such threats.

The Driving Forces Behind Iran's Nuclear Talks with the U.S.

Last month, Fox News senior strategic analyst Ret. Gen. Jack Keane appeared on 'The Story' to discuss the recent nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. Keane revealed that Iran's efforts to negotiate a deal are often based on a "bold-faced lie," with Tehran attempting to disguise its true intentions behind a facade of cooperation.

"Iran's approach is always to appear cooperative, but in reality, they're seeking to gain time and leverage to achieve their goals," Keane explained. "This includes acquiring the technology and expertise needed to develop nuclear capabilities, as well as undermining U.S. influence in the region."

"The United States must remain vigilant and committed to applying pressure on Iran to adhere to its commitments under any agreement. We cannot afford to let our guard down, even for a moment, in this critical effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities," Keane emphasized.