Meanwhile, here in this country, federal investigators have revealed that the Pentagon has accidentally sold surplus military gear to Iran, including engine parts for Chinook helicopters. Iran managed to buy the contraband with the help of front companies and international arms brokers. The Associated Press reports Iran has also attempted to buy parts for its fleet of F-14 Tomcat fighter jets. The United States sold Iran the fighter jets in the 1970s when the two countries were still allies.