Israel Matzav

Australia confirms ship had weapons heading for Iran

Bloomberg is reporting that Australia has confirmed that the ANL Australia had weapons headed for Iran (Hat Tip: Saeed via Twitter).

Australia confirmed weapons on a ship bound for Iran from North Korea were found on an Australian freighter, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing a government minister.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are investigating the circumstances around this event,” Anthony Albanese, minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government told the Nine Network, the Herald reported.

The United Arab Emirates seized the ship, carrying North Korean-manufactured munitions, detonators, explosives and rocket-propelled grenades bound for Iran in violation of United Nations sanctions, diplomats said yesterday.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Minister involved was Transportation Minister Anthony Albanese.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are investigating the circumstances around this event," he told the Nine Network.

DFAT yesterday confirmed that a number of containers aboard the ship ANL Australia were offloaded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and inspected by local customs authorities.

The Australia-owned, Bahaman-flagged ship was said to have been carrying a cache of banned rocket-propelled grenades and other arms from North Korea.

"I can confirm that is the case," Mr Albanese said.

"Certainly in terms of the next step forward, we are investigating as to whether there have been any breaches of Australian laws. If there have been, that will be referred to the appropriate police authorities."

The weapons may have been intended for Hezbullah.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:47 AM