(S) MULTI FLATBED TRUCK CONVOY ENROUTE FROM IRAN

S E C R E T STATE 102580 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2034 TAGS: ETTC MARR MCAP MOPS PARM PINR PREL PTER MASS TU SUBJECT: (S) MULTI FLATBED TRUCK CONVOY ENROUTE FROM IRAN TO THE LEVANT CARRYING SHIPMENT OF HIGH CONCERN Classified By: EUR/PRA Acting Director Kathleen Morenski for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request to Embassy Ankara. Please deliver the points in paragraph 4 immediately. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) We have information that a multi flatbed truck convoy carrying industrial manufacturing components likely intended for the production of explosively formed penetrators (EFP) is enroute from Tehran to the Levant. We want to request the Government of Turkey (GOT) to take immediate action to find and interdict this shipment. -------------- ACTION REQUEST/OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶3. (S) Post is requested, in coordination with the country team, to immediately approach GOT officials to pursue the following objectives and to deliver the talking points/non-paper in para 4 below: -- Inform Turkish officials of the information we have regarding the multi flatbed truck convoy from Tehran to the Levant; -- Emphasize that UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1747, paragraph 5, prohibits Iran from transferring any arms or related materiel; -- Urge the GOT to take immediate action to find and disrupt this shipment pursuant to UNSCR 1747, and in accordance with the GOT's laws and authorities; -- Thank the GOT for its vigilance in stopping this shipment and emphasize that EFPs can kill and severely injure Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region. -------------- TALKING POINTS -------------- ¶4. (S//REL TURKEY) Begin talking points: -- We have information that a multi flatbed truck convoy, carrying heavy (15-20 tons each) industrial manufacturing components likely intended for the production of explosively formed penetrators (EFP) is enroute from Tehran to the Levant. - A picture of a hydraulic press similar to the one which is expected to be part of the shipment has been provided separately. -- The trucks will be passing through the Bazargan/Gurbulak border crossing, probably between 1 and 4 October. -- We are concerned that this shipment likely violates UNSCR 1747 which prohibits Iran from selling or transferring any "arms or related materials". -- We would like to request that you use all available means to find and disrupt this shipment. -- We believe these items constitute arms or related materiel and are covered by UNSCR 1747. -- UNSCR 1747, paragraph 5, prohibits Iran from supplying, selling or transferring from its territory any arms or related materiel. It also requires all states to prohibit the procurement of such items from Iran by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, and whether or not such transfers originated in the territory of Iran. -- In the spirit of this resolution, we request you be alert for possible shipments of the industrial manufacturing equipment described and stop them, from being transferred to the Levant. -- These EFPs can kill and severely injure Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region. -- We deeply appreciate the Government of Turkey's continued cooperation, support, and willingness to enact prompt and through efforts to promote interdictions designed to prevent the transfer of sensitive material to Iran. END POINTS -------------- REPORTING REQUIREMENT -------------- ¶5. (U) Post is requested to please report results of its efforts as soon as possible. -------------- POINTS OF CONTACT -------------- ¶6. (U) Washington points of contact for follow-up are Margaret T. Mitchell and Michael Rolleri of ISN/CATR, and Matthew Hardiman, EUR/PRA. CLINTON