Iran arms ship released by U.S. Navy now 'sailing to Syria'

The captain of a ship that the United States Navy recently detained has said his vessel is now en route to Syria. The boat was initially believed to be carrying arms destined for Hamas, though sources say the weapons will likely be delivered to Hezbollah.

The U.S. navy was forced to release the ship, which it had detained in the Red Sea on suspicion of carrying arms to Hamas-ruled Gaza. Weapons of various kinds were found aboard the ship, which was flying the Cypriot flag when it was stopped January 19, the U.S. military said.

The ship was released Tuesday when it became apparent that there was no legal basis for holding it.

The captain of the ship, which is a Russian vessel leased to Iran, earlier refused to accede to the U.S. Navy's demand that it anchor at an Egyptian port on the Red Sea, and continued on through the Suez Canal toward the Mediterranean. He also refused to anchor off Cyprus, and said his ship was en route to Syria.

American sources said Tuesday night that the job of monitoring the ship became Israel's the moment it reached the Mediterranean's waters.

One source holds that the weapons on board are apparently Katyusha rockets.

At a press conference in Washington, Admiral Mike Mullen, who heads the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said although American naval personnel boarded the ship and found the weapons, they had no legal authority to impound the arms. He also said he believes the ship is heading for Syria.

Mullen suggested that more stringent resolutions by the UN Security Council would be required, stating clearly that Iran is violating standards against arms smuggling.

He stressed the need for involving Iran in solving regional problems, including the deteriorating condition in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but that ultimately the matter should be left to diplomats. With regard to the Obama administration's approach to the Iranian threat, he said that the military option is not off the table, but that it must remain the last option.

	Admiral Mike Mullen speaking at a press conference in Washington.
	Photo by: (Reuters)