Germany impounds weapons en route to Iran
Germany has impounded an Israeli shipment that included military equipment said to be headed for Iran.
The Israeli Defence Ministry said a shipment by a private Israeli company was held up in Germany by customs officials.
The ministry said the cargo included Israeli-made treads for armoured personnel carriers.
The company received permission from the ministry for exporting the items based on a declaration that its final destination was Thailand, but German officials said they were meant for Iran, said a ministry statement.
The statement said, “The Defence Ministry forbids sale of military equipment, spare parts and weapons of any kind to Iran,” adding that it was turning the matter over to Israel’s police.
Israel TV said the ship was impounded in Hamburg and was owned by a firm called Piad, headed by Aviel Weinstein.
In the past, Israeli arms merchants have been sentenced to prison terms for selling military equipment to Iran, but in the 1980s, the Israeli government was involved in a complicated deal involving the United States, Nicaragua and Iran that eventually became known as Irangate.”
