I ran away from them!

Massive Arms Shipment Intended for Hezbollah Intercepted by Israel Navy

(IDF Spokesman)



Roughly 500 tons of weapons, rockets, and missiles was uncovered aboard the cargo vessel “Francop” flying an Antiguan flag, which was intercepted and brought to the Ashdod port. The Israel Navy force which intercepted the ship included naval commandos, missile boats, intelligence and explosive experts.



36 shipping containers with 500 tons of weaponry were found on the ship disguised as civilian cargo, and hidden among hundreds of other containers onboard.



Israel Naval and Engineering Corps forces are currently unloading the containers and are sorting through the various types of weaponry found aboard.



The naval commando force boarded the vessel and conducted an initial search. The search was conducted in accordance with the usual search protocols as dictated by International Law.



Following the initial search and after it became clear that the vessel was carrying weapons, the vessel was directed by the Israel Navy to dock at the Israeli Ashdod Naval base for additional searches and a detailed inspection of the hull’s cargo. It should be emphasized that the captain of the ship agreed to the search. The Israel Navy conducted all activity without any force.



The weapons found onboard the ship originate from Iran, and were intended for the Hezbollah terror organization, for use against the State of Israel and its citizens. The weapons uncovered at sea last night constitute a harsh violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1747 and 1701 that strictly forbid Iran from exporting or trading any form of weapons.



This is a well-known Iranian technique, taking advantage of cargo ships flying different flags in order to smuggle containers loaded with large amounts of highly volatile weaponry to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah.



Following the necessary inspections of the boat, it is expected to be released.



The overnight operation was authorized by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense of the State of Israel. Commander of the Israel Navy, Maj. Gen. Eliezer Marom, commanded the operation from a forward command cell. The IDF Chief of the General Staff authorized the operation, after the confirmation of intelligence information gathered by the IDF.


Iranian-Exported Weapons Seized aboard the "Francop" by the Israel Navy


1. On the night between 3-4 November 2009, the Israel Navy seized the vessel Francop, which was sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbados and destined for Syria with a planned stopover in Beirut. From an inspection carried out onboard, with the agreement of the relevant authorities, several containers of Iranian origin were found to be carrying weapons. A request was made for the vessel to sail to Ashdod port for further inspection. The captain of the ship agreed to this request.



2. UN Security Council Resolution 1747 prohibits weapons export from Iran. The existence of Iranian weapons in the containers represents, therefore, a severe violation of this resolution.

3. This violation is one of many violations of UN Security Council Resolutions by Iran. Iran continues to systematically ignore UNSC Resolutions, supplying weapons to terror organizations.

4. This incident proves once again that any entity that conducts business, directly or indirectly with the Iranian regime or with the Iranian shipping company IRISL, runs the risk of violating UN Security Council Resolutions.



The Francop, owned by the Cypriot shipping company UFS, was carrying containers marked IRISL (Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines), as can be clearly seen in these pictures of the seized ship in Ashdod port:

Photo:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/slideshow/ALeqM5h3S0DqyLu9CfgcBASy2XHOGCk0IAD9BONONG0?index=0

Video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8341737.stm

In the past few months, other ships carrying IRISL cargo, such as the Russian vessel Monchegorsk and the German ship Hansa India, were apprehended while smuggling weapons.



5. Under the guise of legitimate commerce, and by using ships, flags and ports of blameless countries, Iran is turning the Mediterranean into a base for its nefarious activities, with the aim of destabilizing regional security, as has recently come to light in the cases of the Monchegorsk and the Hansa India.



Countries should take preventive measures in order to protect themselves and their companies, as mentioned in UNSC resolutions. The designation of IRISL by the government of UK last month is a good example of such a preventive measure.

6. Iran is challenging the authority of the UN Security Council, and is mocking the international community and its institutions. Immediate and decisive action is required to stop the illegal activities of Iran and its partners.

7. Iran represents a strategic threat to world peace and stability. The international community must act resolutely against Iran's indefatigable efforts to achieve a military nuclear capability, to support terror organizations and suppress its own population. The Hamas test-flight of a rocket with an extended range of 60 km. serves as confirmation of the danger posed by Iran to Middle East stability.

8. As it appears that the weapons were destined for terrorist organizations in Lebanon, it seems apparent that this is also a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Despite UNSCR 1701, the transfer of weapons from Iran and Syria to Hizbullah is continuing unmolested, including the intent to transfer new and dangerous weapon types.