A Toronto man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to export nuclear technology to Iran.
Mahmoud Yadegari appeared in court Friday morning to face federal customs charges, but he may face additional charges for violating a United Nations embargo.
Yadegari attempted to “procure and export” pressure transducers used in the production of enriched uranium, the RCMP said in a statement.
While enriched uranium is used to produce nuclear fuel, it is also a component of nuclear weapons. The UN Security Council banned exports of nuclear-related technology to Iran in 2006 because of its alleged efforts to build nuclear weapons.
Yadegari was allegedly purchasing the materials in the United States and sending them through the United Arab Emirates to Iran, said RCMP Sgt. Marc Laporte.
“The product was being exported through Dubai and then we’re alleging that the end destination was going to be Iran,” he said.
The charges followed an “extensive investigation” involving RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Service. “ICE is involved because the product originated in the U.S. and was being brought into Canada,” Laporte said.
