Official announcements from the U.S. Department of State or Treasury

Two Charged in Connection with January Iran-Backed Drone Strike Killing Three U.S. Service Members and Injuring 40 in Jordan

Dec 16, 2024, 11:53 PM

U.S. prosecutors have charged two men in connection with a January drone strike carried out by Iran-backed militants in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three American service members and injuries to approximately 40 others. The individuals charged include an Iranian national and a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, who is accused of exporting sensitive technology to Iran that was allegedly used in the drone attack. The FBI announced the arrests during a news conference, emphasizing the national security implications of the case. The drone strike occurred near the Syrian border and has raised significant concerns regarding Iran's influence in the region and its support for militant groups. The investigation revealed that the technology used in the drone's navigation system was traced back to an Iranian company associated with one of the defendants.