Defendants were indicted in the United States for conspiring to ship, and for shipping, parts for forklifts to Iran in violation of the Iranian Transactions Regulations (ITR) and "with knowledge or reason to know that such goods, technology, or services are intended specifically for supply, transshipment, or re-exportation, directly or indirectly, to Iran." (31 C.F.R. § 560.204)
The price and delivery negotiations were done directly with an individual in Iran and by e-mail through an intermediary in the United Arab Emirates. The parts were shipped to Iran.
At trial and after the close of the government's case, the defendants moved for dismissal arguing that the government did not prove that the defendants had specific knowledge of the licensing regulations or even that there was a licensing requirement. Should the court enter a judgment of acquittal? Why or why not?