The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced Thursday that it foiled an Iranian weapons smuggling attempt from Iraq to Lebanon's Hezbollah, seizing a cache hidden in an Iraqi oil tanker. The haul included FPV drones, fiber-optic spools, modified PG7-VL-AT-1 projectiles, 12 ALMAS NLOS anti-tank missiles, and a Paveh anti-ship cruise missile, according to the ministry.
The Syrian Ministry of Interior on Thursday officially confirmed the foiling of a major Iranian weapons smuggling attempt destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon, providing the most detailed inventory yet — including a Paveh anti-ship cruise missile and 12 ALMAS NLOS anti-tank missiles. The ministry's statement, released this afternoon, identifies the cache as hidden in an Iraqi oil tanker traveling a daily convoy route. This confirmation follows a day of escalating reports.
The story first broke around 11:13 Jerusalem, when Syrian security forces and the Defense Ministry announced they had intercepted a weapons shipment from Iraq intended for Hezbollah, initially describing it as containing 'advanced weapons' and later specifying 150 explosive drones, long-range missiles, and anti-tank missiles. By 15:46 Jerusalem, the Israeli Alma Research Center had analyzed photos published by Syrian authorities, identifying the presence of at least 100 FPV drones, fiber-optic components, RPG warheads, and likely Paveh cruise missiles. The Interior Ministry's latest statement now formalizes those findings, adding the ALMAS missiles and the specific concealment method.
As The Zioneer has reported in recent weeks, Iran has been systematically smuggling advanced standoff weapons to Hezbollah, including explosive drones and precision-guided munitions. A previous seizure in southern Lebanon uncovered an underground Hezbollah drone factory with 50 Iranian-made UAVs, underscoring the scale of the arming effort.
It remains unclear what will become of the seized weapons — whether they will be destroyed, repurposed by Syrian forces, or returned to Iraqi custody. No diplomatic statements from Iran or Hezbollah have been issued as of this evening.
14 developments
- DevelopingIDF captures Hezbollah drone factory and launch site hidden in south Lebanon mountain
- StrongAfter Syria thwarts Hezbollah weapons smuggling, Iran's Rezaei warns of direct strikes
- ConfirmedIDF intercepts Hezbollah drone near troops in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingIDF weekly ops: over 1 km of Gaza tunnels destroyed, 60 suspects arrested in Judea and Samaria
Source and signal
- Internal intake