Malaysia: Ship with illegal cargo was Iran-bound

AP: Malaysian police say a ship smuggling equipment that possibly could be used to make nuclear weapons had been headed to Iran.

The Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian police say a ship smuggling equipment that possibly could be used to make nuclear weapons had been headed to Iran.

National police chief Ismail Omar told The Associated Press on Friday the Malaysian-registered ship was traveling from China to Tehran.

The cargo was seized two weeks ago at a central Malaysia harbor. Authorities are investigating whether the equipment could be used to make nuclear weapons.

The Sun newspaper reported Friday the equipment was declared as two agitating mixer machines and a stainless steel storage tank. But investigations showed they required a special permit under a law Malaysia passed last year to curb the trafficking of nuclear weapon components.

The Sun did not cite any sources. It was first to report on the cargo’s seizure Thursday.