Miami, Dec 05: An Iranian national was charged with illegally trying to sell parts for US-built fighter jets to Iran, prosecutors said. The US Attorney's Office in Miami yesterday said Sershik Avassapian conspired with Iranian officials to export F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft parts from the United States to Iran without a license. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Avassapian was arrested in September.

The United States had sold the planes to Iran, but embargoed further exports of spare parts after Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was overthrown by an Islamic regime less friendly to the United States. Bureau Report