LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — An Iranian national and an American citizen who worked as an airline pilot pleaded guilty Monday in a plot to ship helicopters and aircraft parts for Iran’s state-run civilian airline, in violation of the U.S. trade embargo.

Their scheme, hatched in 2007 and continued until 2011, was foiled before the defendants arranged any deliveries, federal authorities said. The men had hoped to make millions by selling the parts to Iran Air, which is owned by the country’s government, authorities said. Several of Iran Air’s planes are made by U.S.-based Boeing, according to the airline’s website.