U.S. Contractor Accused Of Stealing Military Secrets For Iran

Prosecutors in the United States say a former defense contractor has been indicted on charges of stealing information about the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 fighter jet program and military jet engines that he tried to ship to Iran.

U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly announced the charges on January 21 against 59-year-old Mozaffar Khazawee, who is now a resident of Indianapolis.

Khazawee is charged with stealing the materials from companies where he worked.

Prosecutors say customs inspectors found sensitive technical manuals and other documents in a November, 2013 shipment Khazaee tried to send to Iran.

They say he described the shipment as “household goods.”

Khazawee was arrested at a New Jersey airport earlier this month while trying to travel to Tehran.

A grand jury indictment charges him with two counts of transporting stolen goods.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters