US News

Iranian-American charged in missile plot

The feds on Friday unsealed criminal charges against a dual US-Iranian citizen being held in Manhattan for allegedly trying to acquire more than 200 surface-to-air missiles that he wanted to smuggle into Iran.

Reza Olangian, of Los Gatos, Calif., was busted trying to cut the missile deal in October 2012 during a Drug Enforcement Administration sting in Estonia, authorities said. He had hoped to deliver the Russian-built long-range missiles to the Iranian government from Afghanistan or another nearby country, potentially creating a threat to US national security.

Olangian was extradited to the United States in March, and is now awaiting trial in Manhattan federal court. He was charged with four counts, including conspiring to acquire and transfer surface-to-air missiles in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

“Mr. Olangian’s conspiracy could have put American lives at risk, as well as those of our friends across the globe,” said Derek Maltz, special agent-in-charge of the DEA Special Operations Division.

Olangian first to tried obtain surface-to-air missiles for Iran in 2007, failing in an attempt to secure 100, according to court documents.

He started trying to broker the new, larger deal in early 2012, but was unaware he was dealing with a confidential source for the feds.

Olangian was taped talking to the source about the cost of a handheld, portable infrared-homing missile system, which could be fired by a one person, the complaint says. He also described the scheme in emails obtained by the feds.

Olangian faces a maximum sentence of life behind bars and is set to appear in court Nov. 13.

His lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.