Former FAA contractor admits to spying for Iran, exposing critical U.S. aviation data

• A former FAA contractor and U.S. citizen admitted to spying for Iran, sharing 172 GB of classified aviation and energy sector data.
• Abouzar Rahmati, an ex-IRGC officer, handed stolen FAA documents to Iranian officials during a visit to Tehran.
• The DOJ warns of Iran’s ongoing efforts to infiltrate U.S. critical infrastructure via insider threats.
• His IRGC ties and naturalization expose gaps in U.S. immigration vetting for high-security roles.
• The case fuels scrutiny over U.S.-Iran relations amid diplomatic talks and calls for stricter counterespionage measures.

A former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contractor and naturalized U.S. citizen has pleaded guilty to operating as an Iranian spy, compromising sensitive American aviation and energy sector data while working for a U.S. government-linked agency.

Abouzar Rahmati, 42, admitted in federal court Wednesday to acting as an unregistered agent of Iran from at least December 2017 to June 2024, sharing 172GB of classified FAA documents—including details on airport radar systems and air traffic control—with Tehran’s intelligence operatives.

The case, prosecuted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), exposes another alarming breach of U.S. national security by an individual embedded in critical infrastructure—a scenario that underscores the risks of inadequate immigration vetting and the persistent threat posed by Iran’s regime, even amid diplomatic overtures.

Infiltration of critical U.S. infrastructure

Rahmati, a former 1st Lieutenant in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—a U.S.-designated terrorist organization—secured employment with an FAA contractor, granting him access to non-public aviation sector files. Court documents reveal he downloaded sensitive materials related to the National Aerospace System, Airport Surveillance Radar, and radio frequency data, storing them on removable drives. In April 2022, he hand-delivered these files to Iranian officials during a trip to Tehran.

“Rahmati also exploited his employment as an FAA contractor,” the DOJ stated, noting he also funneled U.S. solar energy industry research to Iranian authorities, including the office of Iran’s Vice President for Science and Technology. His brother, based in Iran, acted as an intermediary, relaying additional stolen data to intelligence handlers.

A deeper threat: The IRGC connection

The case underscores Iran’s systematic efforts to infiltrate U.S. institutions through operatives embedded in sensitive positions. Rahmati’s IRGC ties—a detail downplayed in early coverage—highlight Tehran’s reliance on its military wing to target American infrastructure. “The Iranian government continues to target American institutions for infiltration,” said U.S. Attorney Edward Martin Jr. in a statement. “We will hold accountable anyone who puts our national security at risk.”

Rahmati’s indictment follows other recent Iranian-linked plots, including a foiled 2024 assassination attempt against then-President-elect Donald Trump. These incidents reinforce concerns that Tehran exploits diplomatic engagements as cover for covert operations.

Immigration security failures under scrutiny

Rahmati’s naturalization—despite his IRGC background—raises urgent questions about U.S. immigration vetting, particularly for applicants from adversarial nations. Critics argue his case mirrors past failures, such as the 2015 San Bernardino attack, where a visa loophole allowed a radicalized immigrant to conduct a terror attack.

While the DOJ has not disclosed how Rahmati cleared background checks, his ability to secure an FAA-linked role for years suggests gaps in monitoring naturalized citizens in high-security positions. Reform advocates insist stronger screening, including scrutiny of foreign military ties, is needed to prevent similar breaches.

Broader implications for U.S.-Iran relations

The Rahmati case emerges as the U.S. and Iran engage in indirect nuclear talks, a move some national security experts warn could embolden Tehran’s aggression. President Trump, who withdrew from the 2018 Iran nuclear deal, recently warned of military action if diplomacy fails, stating, “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”

Rahmati’s sentencing, scheduled for August 26, could bring up to 15 years in prison—a penalty proponents say should serve as a deterrent.

Rahmati’s guilty plea is more than an isolated spy case—it’s a reminder of Iran’s relentless hostility and the vulnerabilities in America’s defense against foreign infiltration. From the IRGC’s role to immigration vetting lapses, the breach demands a reassessment of how the U.S. safeguards its most sensitive sectors. As Tehran continues to test Washington’s resolve, policymakers must choose between accountability and complacency—before the next breach proves catastrophic.

Sources for this article include:

TheHill.com

FoxNews.com

FreeBeacon.com

JPost.com