(S) POSSIBLE IRANIAN ARMS SHIPMENTS

S E C R E T STATE 008952


NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2034
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MASS IR SU AE YM CD
SUBJECT: (S) POSSIBLE IRANIAN ARMS SHIPMENTS

REF: STATE 8319 AND PREVIOUS

Classified by: ISN Office Director A. Ganzer, Reasons
1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) NIACT precedence is justified by urgent operational
information. Cable should be transmitted at OOB.


2. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5.

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Background
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3. (S/NF) Washington has been working with several
governments to prevent Iranian air shipment of weapons to
Hamas via Sudan. Our initial information indicated that
Iran may ship weapons to Sudan via aerial routes using
cargo planes (possibly using Sudanese airlines),but more
recent information indicates that Iran may now use various
airlines. This information now also indicates that there
may be a connection with Chad. In light of this
information, we would like to approach the Government of
Chad to alert it to the possibility of Chad being used as
a potential route for arms to be sent, ultimately, to
Hamas.

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Objectives
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4. (S/NF) Post should seek to:

--Inform the host government that Iran intends to deliver
lethal military equipment to Sudan in the near future.

--Inform the host government that cargo flights
originating from Iran are expected to depart this weekend
or early next week.

--Ask the host nation to exercise extreme vigilance on any
cargo flights originating in Iran and possibly deny
landing permission.

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Action Request
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5. (S) Post is requested as soon as feasible, bearing in
mind the timeframe of the information, to use the points
below to approach appropriate host government officials to
inform them of the flights and to deny overflight
permission.

(SECRET/REL CHAD) Begin Talking Points:

--Iran intends to deliver arms to Sudan in the near future
using cargo flights of various airlines (not necessarily
of Iranian companies),most likely in order to transfer
them to Hamas.

--These flights are expect to depart from Iran to Sudan
this weekend or in the beginning of next week.

--The Iranians may attempt to dissimulate the type of
cargo loaded on the flights, their destination, and route.

--UN Security Council resolution 1747, paragraph 5, states
that Iran shall not supply, sell or transfer directly or
indirectly any arms or related materiel, whether or not
originating in Iran.

--Any supply or transfer outside Iran of arms and related
materiel violates Iran's obligations under UNSCR 1747.

--In view of the above, we want to provide you with this
information in an effort to assist you in ensuring that
Iran does not make use of your territory to transfer items
proscribed by UN Security Council resolution 1747.

--We ask that you take any steps possible to prevent these
shipments, including denying landing permission.

End Talking Points


6. (U) Department appreciates Post's assistance in this
matter. ISN/CATR POC is Margaret T. Mitchell,
(mitchellmt2@state.sgov.gov; 202-647-2433).


CLINTON