US-sanctioned Iranian ship seized off the Libyan coast

Authorities in the United Nations-backed Libyan government seized a US and European Union-sanctioned Iranian vessel off Misrata amid claims it was carrying weapons.

The container Shahr E Kord left Bulgaria last week with Misrata in western Libya as its destination.

According to the US Treasury, Shahr E Kord is linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, which is accused of involvement in Iran’s nuclear weapons programme.

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

Maj Gen Ahmed Al Mesmari, the spokesman for the Libyan National Army that is opposed to the GNA, claimed the ship was loaded with armaments destined for terrorists.

“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.

Mr Mismari 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 said.

The LNA, which is headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and based in eastern Libya, has no presence in the port city of Misrata. Despite having a constellation of armed proxy militias across the Middle East, Iran has traditionally not played any role in Libya.

Field Marshal Haftar’s forces launched an attack on Tripoli three weeks ago with at least 250 people reportedly killed as the fighting becomes ever more entrenched.