Report: Iran using passenger jets to smuggle weapons to Syria, Lebanon

Iran’s government has repeatedly used commercial aircraft to smuggle weapons and explosives to Syria and Lebanon, the German broadcaster ZDF reported Wednesday.


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ZDF, citing Western security sources and unspecified information it said it had obtained, reported that  Iran Air and Yas Air, both based in Iran, have repeatedly used aircraft designated as passenger planes to transport weapons to Damascus and Beirut.  It was not clear from the report what type of weaponry was involved.

ZDF, a content partner of NBC News, said the weapons were supposedly ordered by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which supports the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

U.S. officials have long accused Tehran of using commercial aircraft to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah. 

ZDF noted that there had been one previous shipment of arms seized aboard an Iranian airliner. In March 2011, it said, Turkish security officials in Diyabarkier found weapons and explosives on board a Yas Air passenger jet. The freight was supposedly scheduled to be shipped to Damascus.

Click here to read an English translation of the ZDF article.

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Iran Air

And the big surprise is....?

  • 23 votes
#1 - Wed May 30, 2012 4:58 PM EDT

Seriously, why would anyone be surprised at this. I would have been more surprised if this were not happening. These two airlines should now be treated as military aircraft and banned from the airspace of other countries without specific flight authorizations.

  • 36 votes
#1.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:08 PM EDT

Any this is New? Iran and Russia will do everything in there power to help Assad.

  • 13 votes
#1.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:14 PM EDT

Non-story.

Except to the supporters of the Syrian rebels and the fall of Israel.

Move along. Move along.

  • 3 votes
#1.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:22 PM EDT

So what? At least they dont charge $100 for a suicide vest carry-on!

  • 4 votes
#1.4 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:28 PM EDT

Eric, try to stay abreast of the news. Russia has been "re-calculating" its support of the Assad regime for more than 24 hours (yesterday's news). There will be new developments as a result.

  • 3 votes
#1.5 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:43 PM EDT

it looks like Israel picked an ugly place to reside or not!

    #1.6 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:45 PM EDT

    Bet Iran Air gives frequent flier miles to terrorist...as long as they don't blow up their planes.

    I'm sorry sir, we only allow small arms and machine guns as carry on. You`ll have to check that RPG in at baggage.

    • 11 votes
    #1.7 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:52 PM EDT

    "Any this is New? Iran and Russia will do everything in there power to help Assad." Eric-NY

    And Russia was mentioned where? I guess I missed that part of the story.

    Do you hold political office by chance?

      #1.8 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:54 PM EDT

      What are we complaining about? They learned it from us. We were smuggling illegal weapons on a passenger ship, the Lusitania. The Germans knew it, and not only did they sink it, they knew exactly where the weapons were hidden, and they hit that very spot with the torpedo.

      How did they know, you ask? Churchill told them. Figured it'd draw us into the war, and he was right.

      • 4 votes
      #1.9 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:07 PM EDT

      Ok Angry Guy, so now what? We let contries with militant groups, terroist groups, and want to see our demise get away with it? Your a smart one. Why dont you grow a birds nest of a beard, dress your wife in a Burka and move over there. Unless that is if your gay. Thats a hanging offense over there. Is that why your angry?

      • 8 votes
      #1.10 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:19 PM EDT

      Whoa Angry Guy...let's compare 1914 to 2012! That's really relevant isn't it. So sad that's the best you've got!

      • 7 votes
      #1.11 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:51 PM EDT
      Comment author avatarSubliminalExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

      None of this should be a surprise to anybody. Iran is a rouge country with no class or morals.

      Just bomb the sh.t out of this piece of useless terrain and get it done with. And please, you weenies, don't start whining about the loss of life. Their lives are not worth the sand they are living on. All these sand-diggers are useless because they will kill us when given the chance, anytime.

      • 2 votes
      #1.12 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:57 PM EDT

      MikeO76, The problem with most people is they forget history. What Angry guy is saying is history repeats itself and in this case it could be true. Every time we go to war there are many corps. that get very rich, and sure some are in Germany. There are so many countries that would love for us to attack Iran. And by the way why is it a crime if Iran smuggles guns into Syria, but when we do it in Mexico it all goes away. Hypocrites in Washington that's who.

      • 7 votes
      #1.13 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:01 PM EDT

      Are you saying that Churchill informed the Germans that the Royal Mail Ship Lusitania, which the Cunard Line was under contract with the British Government to carry war material and troops was carrying arms during war time? What a conspiracy!

      • 3 votes
      #1.14 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:18 PM EDT

      Iran’s government has repeatedly used commercial aircraft to smuggle weapons and explosives to Syria and Lebanon, the German broadcaster ZDF reported Wednesday.

      Good news, actually. With any great luck at all, maybe they'll kill each other off. They deserve each other.

      • 3 votes
      #1.15 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:34 PM EDT

      Actually we have done this a lot more recently than 1914 as posted by 'Angry guy'. We have done it, iran is doing it, and so a sheetload of others. it really isn't new........

      • 2 votes
      #1.16 - Wed May 30, 2012 9:01 PM EDT

      Take away Israels nukelar arms as well as surrounding counties and you might get peace ????Israel as well as Iran are preventing peace,one is provoking the other:::

      • 2 votes
      #1.17 - Wed May 30, 2012 9:10 PM EDT

      they knew just exactly where the weapons were, and thats where they put the torpedo.........

      in WW 1 ? hey angry guy, i have a question for ya........how accurate do you think a Uboat in WW1 was ? yes accurate enough to hit a 400 ft ship traveling in a straight line , but to say they knew exactly where the torpedo was gonna hit the ship when launched? total BS it was more like get into position, shoot based on ship speed and distance from target and , HOPE you hit, around a 50/50 ratio on average.......really man where do you get your facts?

      • 2 votes
      #1.18 - Wed May 30, 2012 10:09 PM EDT

      HEADLINE #1

      Israel insists Iran developing nuclear weapon

      ...then this story...

      Report: Iran using passenger jets to smuggle weapons to Syria, Lebanon

      this is how it starts... they set you up with a few hyper tales and BOOM, JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS OUT..., they pull me back in!

      • 3 votes
      #1.19 - Wed May 30, 2012 10:11 PM EDT

      How dare Iran do this! Wait, what? Lusitania? I don't know what you're talking about.

        #1.20 - Thu May 31, 2012 1:00 AM EDT

        Subliminal wrote:

        Just bomb the sh.t out of this piece of useless terrain and get it done with.

        Funny, that's what people were thinking at the start of the Iraq war. That 'shock and awe' would make everything so easy. 10 years later...

        One other little thing to keep in mind, Iran is 3 times larger than Iraq. It's a good thing the U.S. has so much extra cash piled away, as we'll need it to build more bombs.

        Yeah.

        • 5 votes
        #1.21 - Thu May 31, 2012 1:43 AM EDT

        How did Ronald Reagan send arms to Iran in 1986 during the embargo against Iran then??, he just did it via Israel, double dealing, lying skum bag Israeli's.

        You stinking yanks 'do no wrong'!!!, The peanut farmer president Carter couldn't land a helicopter in the Iranian desert to rescue the CIA agents posing as US Embassy staff in 1980.

        Dr Cat and the rest of you red necked skum bags, save your money after you've lost another war in Afghanistan, you'll need it, the Chinese are COMING,,,,,,,can't wait.

        just think of how many innocent people you have killed world wide, Agent Orange, Vietnam, Depleted uranium, Iraq, etc etc etc etc

        • 1 vote
        #1.22 - Sat Sep 1, 2012 2:18 AM EDT
        Reply

        Terminate Iran Air...with extreme prejudice. Problem solved.

        • 11 votes
        Reply#2 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:01 PM EDT

        If one reads the article, it says nothing.

        From the article- ZDF, citing Western security sources and unspecified information it said it had obtained, reported that Iran Air and Yas Air, both based in Iran, have repeatedly used aircraft designated as passenger planes to transport weapons to Damascus and Beirut. It was not clear from the report what type of weaponry was involved.

        A Western security source is most likely Israel. The Israelis spread their propaganda whenever and wherever they can. Our Zionist controlled media dutifully trumpets whatever lies the Israelis conjure up. I read no proof of these allegations.

        • 3 votes
        #2.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 8:19 PM EDT

        Agree RalphH, Israel is trying very hard like always did to stir anyway they can (LIES) so America will get involve in another war , as far as they are protected and secure. Thank's God for President Obama , ( remember bump bump Iran? by that old man McCain) we are not in Iran. I wish people will understand what really is going on before making any comments.

        • 1 vote
        #2.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 9:20 PM EDT

        Dear Maryla-3237834.

        Nice to hear some common sense in this conversation, I don't agree at all with Basha al Assad, or that mongral running Iran, but the 'shoot before guilt' practice get's a bit 'out of hand at times'.

        • 1 vote
        #2.3 - Sat Sep 1, 2012 2:23 AM EDT
        Reply

        This is a surprise, how?

        • 5 votes
        Reply#3 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:02 PM EDT

        Iran says not building nukes and now using public transpotation to further terrorist efforts. Still wanna be friends Obama?

        • 15 votes
        Reply#4 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:15 PM EDT
        Comment author avatarelk_bull-1614183Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

        Tell us when Obama indicated he wanted to "be friends" with Iran...please, or STFU idiot!

        • 5 votes
        #4.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:41 PM EDT

        We supported Iraq when they were at war with Iran and then we turned our back on Iraq and now we want Iran.. I Guess Iraq wasnt so bad after all!

        • 3 votes
        #4.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:43 PM EDT

        Obama not friends with Iran, do keep up NMel

        • 1 vote
        #4.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:58 PM EDT

        One word...DUMB!

          #4.4 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:52 PM EDT

          that's what s so Messed up about this country.. every time we have a new president we either have a new ally or a new enemie..

          We cant avoid both... no matter what!

            #4.5 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:23 PM EDT
            Reply

            T.S.A. had better get to work! Give the Hezbollah a 'Freedom Pat!'

            • 2 votes
            Reply#5 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:15 PM EDT

            Beating the war drum.

            • 4 votes
            Reply#6 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:15 PM EDT

            ...drum roll please.

            • 2 votes
            #6.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:42 PM EDT

            Israel is smart they use other counties to fight their ambition in the middle east::::

            • 2 votes
            #6.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 9:16 PM EDT

            is expected the grid of mullah is going to kill all the people before give up they power, and the have they baiting dog to do the job revolutionary guard and hesbollah

              #6.3 - Sun Jun 3, 2012 6:50 PM EDT
              Reply

              Clearly a violation of International law and possibly an act of war. The aggreived parties should declare war and render the Iranian war machine combat ineffective. In other words, Nuke the Puke!

              • 8 votes
              Reply#7 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:16 PM EDT

              declaring war on and innocent nation...is more our style...

              • 4 votes
              #7.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:53 PM EDT

              What innocent nation would that be bob?

              • 2 votes
              #7.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:05 PM EDT

              And what innocent nation is that, Bob?

              • 2 votes
              #7.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:08 PM EDT

              bob should have said "declaring war on an uninvolved nation... is more our style..." I say we go to war with The Congo.

              • 2 votes
              #7.4 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:26 PM EDT

              Bob, you must be a victim too. Sure sounds like it. Whats wrong? Was your ss check late this month? Was your tax return not enough and your money went to supply the American war machine on poor innocent countries? Or do you think your right to write this B.S. wasn't earned by war? I guess Germany 60 years ago, Iraq, Iran, are all just victims of the American war machine just like poor you.

              • 2 votes
              #7.5 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:32 PM EDT

              WCF1957, I guess we should be next since we smuggled guns into Mexico. I think it's time for people to pay a little more attention to history and a little less time demonizing every country that is different from us.

              • 3 votes
              #7.6 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:05 PM EDT

              @Drew,

              http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/budget-approriations/229627-senate-pumps-more-cash-more-into-kony-manhunt-in-africa

              Not quite the Congo, but close enough for most Americans to not know the difference.

              • 1 vote
              #7.7 - Wed May 30, 2012 11:24 PM EDT

              Mark-3941751 wrote:

              Or do you think your right to write this B.S. wasn't earned by war?

              Surely no recent war comes to mind that would impede upon our right to freedom of speech. In fact, since Iraq, the U.S. government has taken away more American rights than any third-world country could ever dream of. Score one for the other guys.

              • 5 votes
              #7.8 - Thu May 31, 2012 1:50 AM EDT
              Reply

              Time to play hard ball............80,000$ AMRAM vs. 20 million$ 747 seems economically feasible to me.

              • 1 vote
              Reply#8 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:16 PM EDT

              A 747 runs just teeny bit more than $20 million.

              Now that I think about it an AMRAAM runs more than $80,000, too.

              But I see your point. Well, no, not really.

                #8.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:59 PM EDT
                Reply

                Other Arab countries supporting the anti-regime protesters could easily with their American supplied fighter aircraft intercept and force the Iranian aircraft to do an about face and return to Iran. If not threaten to shoot them down. I guess they are afraid Iran will support uprisings in those countries as retaliation.

                Oh well, what else is new with those peaceful religious nuts.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#9 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:17 PM EDT

                They'd probably call the bluff and just laugh.

                  #9.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:30 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  WHO CARES?

                  Are they smuggling them to the US? Then whats it matter anyways? You friggin mouth breathers will do anything to get into a new war. Close our bases and bring our military home and worry about our country. You teabaggers will sit here and scream cut off funding and let the poor get a job or starve, but think we should spend American dollars helping every third world craphole fight its battles? how stupid.

                  • 5 votes
                  Reply#10 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:17 PM EDT

                  Cleansing breath, 3dgey, cleansing breath. Goooooood boy.

                  • 1 vote
                  #10.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:30 PM EDT

                  need to smuggle more gun's into mexico...

                    #10.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:56 PM EDT

                    3degy, I agree with the first part of your statement, but you might want to see what the real tea party stands for. Not the one that has been co opted by the right but the true grass roots. They are the ones that stand for liberty personal responsibility and freedom from gov't over reach. They are not into letting poeple starve or slash defense spending. They want fiscal responsibility from our state and federal gov't. and to stop all the waste over seas. We wouldn't need half the spending on the military if we left Europe and the middle east.

                    • 1 vote
                    #10.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:12 PM EDT

                    Iran air does not fly to either Mexico nor Havana, but has regular routes to most major U.S. cities, including D.C.

                    Please re-think your planning, at least for logistical reasons.

                      #10.4 - Wed May 30, 2012 8:34 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      Clear violation of international law...hummm wonder what other belligerent in the ME has violated and gotten off scot free? Hummm

                        Reply#11 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:18 PM EDT
                        JigDaWigDeleted

                        I say we just nuke them! use their own tactics, fly a commercial plane over their capital, it accidentally falls out of the cargo space and KABLAMMMM

                        • 4 votes
                        Reply#13 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:20 PM EDT

                        I say we just nuke them!...............

                        Yeah sure, like we are untouchable. If we nuke Iran they will for sure retaliate. It wouldn't be that difficult for Iran to smuggle a uranium bomb into the USA "via a scoundrel who cares more about money than human life" to lets say detonate it in Washington DC in order to kill the scumbags.

                          #13.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:45 PM EDT

                          well that would cleanup our biggest problem

                          • 4 votes
                          #13.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:06 PM EDT

                          Sounds almost like a win-win....

                          • 4 votes
                          #13.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:25 PM EDT

                          You would prefer chaos perry?

                          • 1 vote
                          #13.4 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:27 PM EDT
                          Reply

                          On Iran air do you have to pay extra to put your AK in the over head rack?

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#14 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:23 PM EDT

                          Say it isn't so! We need zero ties with Iran..... wasted space as far as I'm concerned.

                          • 4 votes
                          Reply#15 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:24 PM EDT

                          isn't Russia good at shooting down 747's?

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#16 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:25 PM EDT

                          Ah, but that would be friendly fire...since they're buddies after all.

                          • 1 vote
                          #16.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:02 PM EDT
                          Reply

                          Iran using passenger jets to smuggle weapons

                          Not very efficient. Obama managed to smuggle arms to Mexico using trucks, vans, and passenger cars. Much cheaper.

                          • 15 votes
                          Reply#17 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:27 PM EDT

                          Yes but planes are faster and furious-er.

                          • 8 votes
                          #17.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:37 PM EDT

                          but there is just something more personal about a rusted out 1963 Econovan.

                          • 6 votes
                          #17.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:50 PM EDT

                          it's a ford... they're the best...

                          • 1 vote
                          #17.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:58 PM EDT
                          Reply

                          It was not a good idea for Obama to give plutonium, nuclear reactor, and centrifuges to Iran.

                          Obama is supposed to punish Iran for building a nuke on Friday by choking out the Iranian economy.

                          Hahahahahahahahahha says Abiblojob ruler of Iran, Obama is one of us.

                          What Obama meant was he is going to remove all sanctions on Iran.

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#18 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:27 PM EDT

                          alboy - are you really that stupid? or just a troll? boy!

                          • 2 votes
                          #18.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:47 PM EDT

                          No; but Obamas leaders are !!

                          • 1 vote
                          #18.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 9:22 PM EDT

                          Iran/Contra anyone?

                            #18.3 - Thu May 31, 2012 1:13 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            I'd fly Iran Air - IF their government wasn't full of lunatics.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#19 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:27 PM EDT

                            I'm getting upset-you keep telling us the truth, and leaving some out!

                              Reply#20 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:28 PM EDT

                              I have serious doubts about this article. First why would they want o smuggle weapons when their ships (Irans) can get there easily like a while back. Second, all of a sudden western powers are digging up on Irans activities?

                              Nah, I dont believe it

                              • 4 votes
                              Reply#21 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:29 PM EDT

                              Ya! something not right here I agree..

                              • 2 votes
                              #21.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:37 PM EDT

                              GOOD THINKING! At least someone has a handle on ME politics. The stuff that is published in US news media outlets is never truthful, or factual, it's all biased propaganda. BTW, the Debka File most likely has some nonsense that is similar but in a matter of days the truth will come out but the US media won't post it. Thanks for your opinion, facing reality, WWIII or no WWIII depends on the smart reader, not the confused and under-educated sheeple.

                                #21.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:20 PM EDT

                                Oh, another reply to your inquiry. The P5+1 talks are going to commence once again and Israel is hell-bent on once again character assassinating Iran in order to begin WWIII, this is one of the major reasons for the article, anything to stir up the American sheeple in order to incite yet another ME brawl, and all because of Israel. Face reality, American taxpayers owe Israel absolutely nothing, wonder who got their heads all pumped up to think that we do, the Iraqi War was enough, as was the USS Liberty and 9-11.

                                  #21.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:23 PM EDT

                                  Enchilada01----- All you have to due is look who the leaders of the press are and you will get the answer to who is stirring the pot ::::::

                                    #21.4 - Wed May 30, 2012 9:28 PM EDT
                                    Reply

                                    Time to wag the dog, Mr. President.

                                    • 1 vote
                                    Reply#22 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:31 PM EDT

                                    Not that I agree with them! because I know innocent life get killed by those weapons! but Every body smuggles weapons today, drugs you name it.. US smuggles weapons almost every day and no one can say sh i t !!

                                    Drugs gets smuggled to US almost every day... why its such a big deal now? oh I see.. it s Iran.. they are our enemies.. of course it s ilegal

                                    I just cant believe that MSNBC called Hisballah Terrorist group! why dont you called them freedom fighter, they ve been there since day 1, because they are fighting someone who took their land and killed their people men, women and children... we have to called them terrorist! unbelievable! so what should we call the massacre of shabra wa shatila town.. all families were killed by one order from Sharon? so it s okay for Jews to kill innocent people and we still have to give them respect! but Hisballah should be called terrorist.

                                    • 3 votes
                                    Reply#23 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:33 PM EDT

                                    Msnbc is warped.

                                    • 4 votes
                                    #23.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:35 PM EDT

                                    To Maxeemas:

                                    Are you sure that your mom and dad are not sister and brother! Hezbollah has not been there from the beginning you MORON! They originated in Lebanon! By the way douche bag, Israel does not need your respect and they didn't chose to live there, that is where Israel has always been!

                                    Why don't you STFU and visit mom and dad, you know the sister and brother combo!

                                    • 3 votes
                                    #23.2 - Wed May 30, 2012 6:57 PM EDT

                                    F.. U.. Dan. Are you sure your name is not Dana? Glad someone is standing up for those Israelis terrorist killers.

                                    They are as bad as every one in that region... they should not be US allies because innocent people are on their killing list.

                                    • 3 votes
                                    #23.3 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:39 PM EDT

                                    Double standard buddy.

                                      #23.4 - Thu May 31, 2012 9:59 AM EDT
                                      Reply

                                      Blow'em up!

                                      • 2 votes
                                      Reply#24 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:34 PM EDT

                                      I didn't know they were balloons.

                                      • 3 votes
                                      #24.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:38 PM EDT
                                      Reply

                                      Is this @!$%#ing news for us???????????? we all know this,oooooooooooooo it new for White house LOL.

                                      • 2 votes
                                      Reply#25 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:35 PM EDT

                                      who isnt surprised by this ? lol

                                      • 5 votes
                                      Reply#26 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:35 PM EDT
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