An Iranian ship headed for Syria with a shipment of weapons on board was ordered by Cypriot authorities into the port of Limassol for inspection Thursday night, according to a European diplomat cited by Haaretz. The ship flies the Cypriot flag and is obliged to obey the order, and only Cyprus can seize the contents. The order to come into port is believed to be in response to requests by Israel and the United States.
The ship left Iran a few weeks ago and was intercepted by the United States Navy ship San Antonio near the Red Sea entrance to the Suez Canal. Israeli security officials believe that the artillery shells and rockets discovered during a search of the vessel are intended for Hizbullah or Hamas. For legal reasons, the United States could not seize the cargo.