Iran accused of using earthquake relief mission to smuggle weapons to Syria, Reuters reports

DARAMSUQ — According to Reuters, citing anonymous sources, Iran has been using a relief mission for earthquake victims as a cover to transport weapons to Syria. The sources allege that Iran has been exploiting the relief efforts to smuggle weapons through the Iranian Red Crescent, a humanitarian organization that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The sources claim that the weapons are being transported on commercial flights operated by Mahan Air, a private Iranian airline that has been sanctioned by the United States and European Union for its alleged support of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its operations in Syria.

The relief mission, which was launched in response to a recent earthquake in Iran’s western province of Kermanshah, reportedly involves the transport of aid supplies and personnel to the affected areas. However, the sources allege that the mission has also been used to smuggle weapons, including missiles and other military equipment, to Syria.

Iran has been a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime throughout the country’s civil war, providing military and financial support to the government. The allegations of Iran using a relief mission to smuggle weapons to Syria will likely increase tensions between Iran and Western nations, who have been seeking to curb Iran’s regional influence and support for militant groups.

The Iranian government has not yet responded to the allegations.