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U.S.-Iran Citizen Charged Over Missile Plot


U.S. prosecutors have brought criminal charges against a dual citizen of Iran and the United States for allegedly trying to acquire Russian-made surface-to-air missiles.

Reza Olangian has been charged with conspiracy and with trying to acquire and transfer to Iran antiaircraft missiles in violation of the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

A lawyer for Olangian said a defense against the charges is planned.

Olangian faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Olangian was arrested in Tallinn, Estonia, in October, 2012, and extradited to the United States in March of this year.

Prosecutors said Olangian negotiated to acquire the missiles with an undercover American agent working for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, whom Olangian believed was a weapons broker.

Based on reports from AP and Reuters

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