Judge Orders Release on Bail of Engineer Accused in Drone Attack That Killed Three U.S. Soldiers

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston ordered the release of Iranian-born engineer Mahdi Sadeghi on a secured $500,000 bond with strict home detention and a GPS ankle monitor. The order came on June 11, 2026, one day before the scheduled release and eleven days before his trial.

Talwani had previously denied bail, citing flight risk. She reversed that decision after noting that the war in Iran, which began in February when the United States and Israel launched strikes, made return to Iran "less attractive" and difficult for Sadeghi and his family. "It is just a different political world," she said.

-Iranian citizen and former Analog Devices employee who lives in Natick, Massachusetts, is charged with conspiracy to illegally procure technology used in a navigation system for Iran's military drones. U.S. outpost in Jordan near the Syrian border, in January 2024.

U.S. Army Reserve soldiers and injured 47 others. It was carried out by Iran-backed militants. U.S. export control and sanctions laws by procuring technology for Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini's company.

Abedini's company counted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a client and made a navigation system used in Iran's Shahed drones. Sadeghi was arrested in December 2024. Abedini was released by Italian officials last year after Iran detained and later released an Italian journalist.

Sadeghi's wife stated she wants the family to remain in the United States. Talwani said fleeing would risk that outcome. His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment. Sadeghi is scheduled to stand trial alone on June 22, 2026.