(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. -------------- Background -------------- ¶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. -------------- Objectives -------------- ¶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. -------------- Action Request -------------- ¶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