U.S. prosecutors have charged two men in connection with a plot to smuggle millions of dollars of military aircraft parts and other items to Iran.
The Justice Department said in a statement on October 28 that Zavik Zargarian and Vache Nayirian were arrested earlier in the week outside Los Angeles for allegedly violating laws barring such trading with Iran.
The U.S. embargo bars the export of goods, technology, and services to Iran with few exceptions.
The department said Zargarian tried to negotiate with an undercover U.S. agent to obtain military aircraft parts, and later had discussions about items used in F-16 and F-18 fighter jets.
Prosecutors said Nayirian was trying to export to the Iranian air force thousands of rubber O-rings, which can be used in aircraft hydraulic systems and landing gear.
The men have both pleaded not guilty.