Diplomats say new Iran weapons materials seized
By Tim Witcher (AFP)
UNITED NATIONS — South Korea and Singapore have intercepted
suspected nuclear and weapons materials bound for Iran that breach
UN sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic, diplomats said on
Thursday.
The two seizures, made in the past six months but only revealed
now, add to a growing list of alleged Iranian attempts to breach an
international arms embargo, which are bringing mounting pressure to
tighten sanctions, they said.
"South Korea authorities found more than 400 suspicious tubes in a
jet cargo at Seoul airport in December," one diplomat told AFP,
giving details from a report to the UN Iran sanctions
committee.
The tubes could be used for nuclear facilities, the diplomat said,
speaking on condition of anonymity because the seizures have not
been made public.
"In September, aluminium powder that can be used for
rockets was found on a ship in Singapore harbor," the
diplomat added.
In each case the product was destined for Iran.
The details were confirmed by a second envoy at the UN who said the
sanctions committee would study them when it discusses the latest
report from Iran experts monitoring the sanctions regime.
"This is going to add to calls for at least tighter implementation
of the current sanctions," said the envoy, also speaking on
condition of anonymity. "There are still too many countries not
applying the measures."
The United Nations has passed four rounds of sanctions against Iran
for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, including a global arms
embargo.
Western nations accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear bomb while Iran
insists its enrichment programme is for purely civilian
purposes.
Over the past year a growing number of cases of weapons and
explosives seizures involving Iran have been brought before the UN
sanctions committee.
Up to seven tons of RDX high explosive were found on a ship in an
Italian port in September that was going from Iran to Syria.
And Nigerian agents seized 13 containers of weapons, including
rockets and grenades, in Lagos port in October.
The containers were loaded at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas and
were reportedly destined for separatist rebels in Senegal's
Casamances region. Senegal has since broken diplomatic ties with
Tehran.
Britain said this month that arms seized by its special forces in
Afghanistan on February 5 were being supplied by Iran to the
Taliban militia fighting international forces.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned what he called
Iran's "completely unacceptable" actions.
The pressure will likely increase after Israel this week accused
Iran of supplying weapons found on a ship intercepted by naval
commandos as it headed for the Hamas-run Palestinian territory of
Gaza. Iran has denied the claim.
Israeli authorities showed off the weapons on Wednesday, and Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were "destined for terror
groups in the heart of Gaza".
"The source of the weapons was Iran, which is trying to arm the
Strip," he added.
The Israeli army said there were about 50 tons of weapons on the
ship. They included Chinese-designed C704 anti-ship missiles with a
range of up to 35 kilometres (20 miles) as well as ammunition and
mortars.
There was also an advanced radar system to guide the
missiles.
The weapons were hidden in containers labelled lentils and cotton,
the army said. The explosives found in Italy were described on
documents as a consignment of powdered milk.
At the last Security Council debate on the Iran sanctions, Britain
called for new Iranian individuals and entities to be added to
sanctions lists. France said there should be a detailed
investigation of Iran's sanctions-busting.
Singapore is living up to its name as a global Hub for
anything.