Iran 'renamed cargo ships to dodge West sanctions' on nuke equipment transfer

Tehran, Feb 1 (ANI): Iran has renamed over a dozen cargo ships in its container line in the past year to circumvent Western sanctions on arms transfers and on the supply of nuclear-related equipment, it has emerged.

According to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line, once the 23rd largest container line in the world, has renamed 90 out of its 123-ship fleet and re-flagged additional ships, The Jerusalem Post reports.

The Post reported instances where the Israeli Navy caught Iranian arms ships transporting weapons in the volatile area and sought assistance from Western countries to help stop the smuggling.

The Post also reported on efforts by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz to recruit EU countries to help counter Iranian smuggling throughout the region.

According to the report, in March, navy commandos seized the Victoria, which was transporting 50 tons of weaponry, including advanced radar-guided anti-ship missiles, to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The ship was owned by a German company and was flying a Liberian flag.

One of the report's author likened Iran's tactics to shuffling a deck of cards in a Las Vegas casino.

"There is a constant game of cat and mouse being played," Hugh Griffiths, a co-author of the two-year report said.

"And the renaming and re-flagging of vessels of different states is a way of trying to avoid inspection because of sanctions," Griffiths added.

The West has been imposing new sanctions on Iran, charging that the nation is building nuclear weapons.

Iran, however, denies that and threatens to retaliate for the sanctions by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil shipping passage. (ANI)