Man Convicted in Missile Parts Sale to Iran Despite Claimed NSC Role

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Pakistani businessman residing in Southern California who contended that he was involved in the Reagan Administration’s secret arms deals with Iran was convicted Thursday of illegally selling Hawk missile parts to that nation.

The U.S. District Court jury deliberated about 90 minutes before finding Arif A. Durrani guilty on three counts for exporting the missile parts to Iran without the permission of the U.S. government.

Durrani, 37, a Pakistani national living in Westlake Village, Calif., faces up to 10 years in prison and $1 million in fines on each of the three charges. Chief U.S. District Judge T.F. Gilroy Daly scheduled sentencing May 12.

The defendant argued throughout the trial that he was acting on behalf of the National Security Council as part of the Administration’s secret arms-for-hostages deal with Iran.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Holly Fitzsimmons told jurors in closing arguments that Durrani’s case rested on his word and that if jurors did not believe him and believed the evidence, he should be convicted.

Durrani, who operated an aircraft parts business in California, has been held without bond since his arrest Oct. 3, 1986.