Greece has been holding a ship traveling from Slovenia to Iran over concerns about its cargo, which includes components for surface-to-surface missiles.
The Susanna was stopped on December 10 after authorities received a tip from the United Nations regarding its problematic cargo. According to a report published Thursday in the Greek newspaper the Elefterotipia, authorities had expressed concern that the vessel’s cargo contained materials to be used by Iran to produce ballistic missiles.
A search of the ship later revealed it was carrying 80 tons of CK22 steel, used in the manufacture of fuel pods or warheads for the missiles.
The ship, bound for Bandar Abbas in Iran, left Slovenia in November. The cargo manifest indicated the materials it carried were destined for an Iranian firm that has played a part in the country’s missile program. The company is currently suffering from sanctions enumerated in a resolution by the United Nations Security Council as it attempts to contain the Islamic Republic's nuclear development activities.
An official from the U.S. State Department is expected in Israel Friday, in the wake of a meeting held Thursday between the United States and several European countries in Copenhagen to establish an international forum to combat arms smuggling to Gaza. The forum is specifically geared to block arms shipments from Iran to Hamas and allied terrorists in Gaza, especially via the sea routes.