Iranian National Infiltrates U.S. FAA as Contractor, Compromising Aviation Security and Intelligence

Iranian National Infiltrates U.S. FAA as Contractor, Compromising Aviation Security and Intelligence

(LibertySociety.com) – An Iranian national’s infiltration of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a contractor has highlighted vulnerabilities in national security, raising questions about how he managed to gather intelligence for Iran while residing as a U.S. citizen.

At a Glance

  • Abouzar Rahmati, a former FAA contractor, pleaded guilty to acting as an Iranian government agent without U.S. Attorney General notification.
  • Rahmati faces up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing set for August 26, 2025.
  • He served in the IRGC and gained FAA employment to access sensitive information.
  • He provided Iranian contacts with data on aviation and solar energy sectors.

A Hidden Past Unveiled

Abouzar Rahmati, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Iran, managed to secure a position as a contractor with the FAA by falsifying his background. Once serving as a 1st Lieutenant for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Rahmati concealed his military connections to infiltrate sensitive sectors of the United States, taking advantage of his status to gather intelligence.

Starting from August 2017, Rahmati offered his services to the Iranian government, allowing several high-ranking officials access to U.S. aviation secrets. His actions remained undetected for years, enabling him to accumulate significant amounts of sensitive data. He traveled to Iran multiple times, further solidifying his intelligence-sharing network.

Access and Distribution of Sensitive Information

Rahmati obtained access to crucial FAA documents and non-public materials, which he shared with Iranian agencies. He downloaded approximately 172-175 GB of sensitive FAA documents, concealing them on removable media in April 2022 for transport to Iran. His infiltration allowed him to relay key information about U.S. aviation systems and the solar energy industry.

“The brazen acts of this defendant – acting against the United States while on U.S. soil – is a clear example of how our enemies are willing to take risks in order to do us harm” – U.S. Attorney Martin

Beyond his work for the FAA, Rahmati applied for positions in various private and governmental entities to further expand his access to classified information. For years, his efforts went unnoticed, compromising several aspects of national security. By leveraging his connections in Iran, he continuously provided them with updates about U.S. infrastructure.

Awaiting Sentencing

Rahmati pleaded guilty to being an undeclared agent of the Iranian government, a charge that could lead to up to 10 years of imprisonment. The federal investigation by the FBI, in collaboration with the FAA, revealed the depth of his deceit. Yet authorities remain vigilant, working with multiple divisions to ensure any compromised security is tightened.

“Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the FBI’s zero tolerance policy for the Government of Iran’s repeated attempts to undermine U.S. national security” – Assistant Director in Charge Jensen

The discovery of Rahmati’s infiltration underscores the importance of rigorous background checks and monitoring systems within sensitive industry sectors. It serves as a pivotal moment for U.S. agencies to reassess and bolster their defenses against covert threats, reinforcing the need for transparency and diligent oversight.

​Copyright 2025, LibertySociety.com 

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