North Korean Rocket Materials Discovered Bound for Iran

July 1, 2009

Publication Type: 

  • International Enforcement Actions

Weapon Program: 

  • Missile

Related Country: 

  • North Korea
  • United Arab Emirates

Author: 

Wisconsin Project Staff

On July 22, 2009, the United Arab Emirates seized 10 containers of North Korean military supplies labeled as oil boring machine parts on a freighter bound for Iran. Among the components reportedly taken were 2,030 detonators for short-range rockets, electric circuitry and solid-fuel propellant. The freighter, a CMA-CGM-owned vessel flying a Bahamian flag called the ANL Australia, took on the cargo in Shanghai before departing for Dubai. According to shipping records, the materials were ferried to Shanghai by a Chinese ship from the port of Dalian, where a North Korean vessel out of Nampo had left them two days earlier. The shipment was in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1747, which bars Iran from importing conventional arms.

Footnotes: 

[1] "Report to the Security Council from the Panel of Experts Established Pursuant to Resolution 1874 (2009)," United Nations Report, May 3, 2011.

[2] Masahiko Asada, "Implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874," United Nations Presentation, May 3, 2011.

[3] Joby Warrick, "Arms Smuggling Heightens Iran Fears," The Washington Post, December 3, 2009.