An Ohio man was sentenced Thursday to 20 months in prison “for exporting gas and oil pipeline parts to Iran,” according to a Justice Department press release.

Behrooz Behroozian, 64, was born in Iran, but later moved to the U.S. and became a citizen in 1987. His loyalty however, appears to have remained with Iran.

“Behroozian profited financially by strengthening the economy of one of the world’s most infamous state sponsors of terrorism,” said Benjamin C. Glassman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

“The parts obtained by Behroozian benefited the Iranian gas and petrochemical industry. Not only did Behroozian’s crimes diminish the effectiveness of American trade sanctions but they also undermined America’s national security.”

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The Columbus, OH operation was concealed under Behroozian’s company Sumar Industrial Equipment. Each year, Behroozian profited between $35,000 and $40,000 from the operation. It was a direct violation of U.S. sanctions and the Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

“Behoorz Behroozian willfully violated export control laws by sending dual-use items to Iran, furthering their military and economic capabilities,” stated FBI Cincinnati Acting Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Deters.

“The sentencing today is an example of the FBI’s commitment to partnering with other U.S. government agencies to vigorously enforce laws designed to keep sensitive items out of the hands of nations and individuals hostile to the U.S. The FBI will continue these efforts to protect our national security and stop the illegal export of protected information and technology.”

In 2006, Behroozian owned and operated a computer parts company in Dublin, OH. The equipment, which wasn’t actually computer parts, was never sold in the U.S., but sent to Iran by way of the United Arab Emirates.