Iran supplies weapons to the Russian Federation under the guise of legal trade in European ports, — Ukrainian foreign intelligence

Iranian vessels transported weapons under the guise of transporting legal goods to European ports, and also provided the Houthis with the coordinates of other civilian vessels for shelling.

This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

As noted in the department, Iranian commercial vessels conduct reconnaissance activities in favor of the Yemeni Houthis, as well as are involved in the transportation of weapons and their components to Syria and Russia. To cover up illegal activities, Iranian vessels use a commercial route through the port of Antwerp (Belgium).

Analysis of shipping data shows that six Iranian cargo vessels (Artam, Artenos, Azargoun, Daisy, Kashan and Shiba) entered the port of Latakia (Syria) at least 27 times from June 2022 to October 2024 while passing between Iran and Antwerp. The vessels delivered weapons under the guise of legally supplying commercial cargo to European ports.

These six Iranian vessels are now under sanctions and can no longer enter Antwerp, however, the department added, other Iranian vessels are still allowed to enter Belgian ports.

The foreign intelligence service also explained how the Iranian vessels’ route worked. For the most part, the vessels used one route: Bandar Abbas (Iran’s largest port) – Suez Canal – Latakia (Syria, one-three-day stopover) – Constanta (Romania) – Ravenna (Italy) – Valencia, Bilbao (Spain) – Antwerp (Belgium).