Businessman charged for exporting to Iran

The president of a South Carolina synthetic oil company faces charges for allegedly exporting goods to Iran, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday. Authorities arrested Markos Baghdasarian, of Delfin Group USA, Saturday at the Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta as he made his way on board a plane bound for the United Arab Emirates, a release from the Department of Justice said. He was charged with illegally exporting goods from the United States to Iran and with making false statements on official government documents. It is illegal for U.S. citizens and companies to engage in commercial transactions with Iran unless approved by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the release said. The criminal complaint affidavit alleges Baghdasarian exported aviation engine oils and polymer worth $850,000 to Iran in August. He allegedly falsely stated on an official document that the goods were to be delivered to a business entity in the United Arab Emirates, the release said. If convicted, Baghdasarian could face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.