US indicts 3 men for violating Iran sanctions in connection with $9bn military supply contracts

The US Department of Justice has announced that three US-based men, Abul Huda Farouki, Mazen Farouki, and Salah Maarouf, have been indictedfor (inter alia) violating US-Iran sanctions in connection with two multi-million-dollar contracts ($8bn and $984m) to provide supplies and logistical support to US troops in Afghanistan (awarded by the US Department of Defence). The contracts required the defendants to abide by US-Iran sanctions, which prohibit US citizens and companies from engaging in commercial activity in Iran. However, according to the indictment, the defendants conspired to cut costs under the contracts by shipping materials and trucks to Afghanistan via Iran, rather than using legal but more expensive routes. Last week (29 November), all three defendants pleaded not guilty on arraignment. The next hearing is scheduled for 6 December.