Published: November 06, 2009

Iran Weapons Shipment Seized En Route to Hezbollah

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A cargo ship filled with tons of Iranian weaponry en route to Iran-backed terror groups was intercepted Tuesday, 100 miles from Israel's coast. The interception confirms the Islamic Republic's status as the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism.

The ship, "Francop," flying an Antiguan flag, was found to be carrying around tons of advanced weaponry and missiles, including Katyusha rockets, assault rifles, mortar shells, grenades, and anti-aircraft platforms. The cargo was to be delivered to the Hezbollah terrorist group.

UN Security Council resolutions 1747 and 1701, forbid the Islamic Republic from exporting or trading weapons.

The Francop cargo ship, intercepted by the Israel Navy had Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines containers, with munitions and rockets concealed behind ordinary cargo.
Photo: IDF

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that Iran's attempted shipment of arms to terrorists - and the Islamic Republic's intent to kill Israeli civilians - was a war crime the UN Security Council should investigate.

"Their goal was... to kill as many civilians as possible," Netanyahu said.

Special Israel Navy forces intercepted the ship flying the flag of Antigua, 100 miles off the coast of Israel. The cargo of 500 tons of weapons was disguised as civilian goods, hidden behind ordinary cargo.