Briton in missiles-to-Iran case to enter new plea

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A British businessman is set to change his plea after being charged with trying to buy missile parts from undercover U.S. agents and illegally sell them to Iran.

Christopher Tappin’s attorney, Karen Todner, says a plea deal has been reached that she hopes will allow him to return home soon. She would not disclose details of the new plea that will be made Thursday in a federal court in El Paso, Texas.

Tappin had pleaded not guilty to various export charges after his extradition from the United Kingdom in February. He has been free on bond since April and was scheduled for trial Monday.

The 65-year-old Tappin is accused of giving the undercover agents false documents to circumvent the requirement for defense articles to be licensed prior to being exported.