Sanctioned Iranian Ship Seized off Libya’s Coast

Authorities in the United Nations-backed Libyan government have seized a US and European Union-sanctioned Iranian vessel off the coast of Misrata amid claims it was carrying weapons, The National reported on Sunday.

The container Shahr E Kord departed from Bulgaria last week with Misrata in western Libya as its destination point, the report said.

According to the US treasury, Shahr E Kord is linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, accused of facilitating the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons program.

The interior ministry at the UN-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli said the ship was loaded with 144 containers. It added that the attorney general ordered the seizure and an investigation into what was on board was underway.

Ahmed Mismari, the spokesman for the Libyan National Army that is opposed to the GNA, claimed the ship was loaded with armaments destined for “terrorists”, The National wrote in its April 28 report.

“The aforementioned ship is carrying weapons in 144 containers. The ship is owned by the Iran Revolutionary Guard and is under international sanctions,” he said on Twitter.

Misrmari urged the UN Security Council and special representative Ghassan Salame to “inform” the Libyan people of what was found on board.

“We are wondering why are all the countries that claim to fight terrorism and weapons smuggling not taking any actions? Why wouldn’t they enforce UN Security Council mandates and intercept sanctioned ships,” he added.