Exclusive: Iran Exploits Earthquake Relief Mission to Fly Weapons to Syria

April 12, 2023

Author: 

Suleiman Al-Khalidi, James Mackenzie, and Parisa Hafezi

Publication: 

Reuters

Related Country: 

  • Israel
  • Syria

Iran funneled military equipment into Syria disguised as humanitarian aid shipments following the February earthquake in Syria and Turkey, according to Syrian, Iranian, Israeli, and Western sources. The supplies included communications equipment, radar batteries, and spare parts to upgrade Syria's air defense system. An Israeli defense official said the shipments were organized by a unit of the Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force and delivered to the Aleppo airport. Iran denied the claims.