A Belgian national has admitted planning to smuggle engines and components for jet fighters to Iran. The man was arrested in New York in August on suspicion of arms dealing and is being tried in a court in the US state of Alabama.

His plans were discovered earlier this year when he contacted an undercover agent. The US authorities accuse him of attempting to obtain access to a range of military components, including engines for F-5 fighter planes. The US sold the jet fighters to Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Belgian, who is thought to have been active as an arms smuggler for decades, could face a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to 250,000 dollars.