Redirects: "Iranian arms smuggling"

Lead section

• Since 1979....
• When did the U.N. first approve an embargo on arms trade with Iran?

Arms exports to Iran, as well as arms export by Iran are banned under a United Nations embargo.^[1] Despite this ban, Iran is actively involved in illegal attempts to export and import arms and is considered one of the world's leading arms traffickers.^{[citation needed]}

Background

• Following the Iranian Revolution, the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iran. However, Iran consistently disregards these sanctions and engages in illicit arms deals throughout the world. The XXX has called Iran "the...of the world."

In response to Iran's refusal to discontinue its nuclear arms program, the The Security Council adopted resolution 1747, a set of four sanctions intended to block Iran’s suspected development of nuclear weapons. The measures, which demand that Iran halt uranium enrichment, also bar exports of arms and explosives and urge all nations to intercept Iranian cargo suspected of containing banned materials. ^[2]

Iran is Hamas's chief arms provider, smuggling through Sudan and Sinai.

Notable incidents

• In early April 2012, Turkey reported that it intercepted a shipment of suspicious chemicals on its way to Syria from Iran.^[3]
• In late January 2012, Turkey stopped four Iranian trucks that were attempting to transport chemical weapons and missiles into Syria.^[4]
• In mid-January 2012, Turkey reported intercepting an Iranian truck convoy on suspicions that the trucks were carrying military equipment to Syria.^[5]
• In early August 2011, Turkey intercepted an Iranian arms shipment destined for Syria.^[6]
• In late March 2011, Turkey found and seized weapons on an Iranian cargo plane bound for Syria.^[7]
• In early March 2011, NATO forces in Afghanistan intercepted 3 trucks carrying smuggled Iranian rockets intended for the Taliban forces. ^[8] Fifty 122 millimeter rockets were discovered on the trucks in Southern Nirmuz
• In October 2010, Nigeria discovered and seized Iranian artillery rockets and other weapons concealed in 13 shipping containers disguised as "Building supplies" on an French-operated ship at Apapa port in Lagos. The cargo had been picked up at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.^[9]
• In August 2007, the Sunday Times reported that Iran was smuggling sophisticated weaponry into Afghanistan for use by Taliban insurgents against U.S. and British forces deployed in the country.^[10]

Recent developments