The second Iranian ship suspected of carrying missile propellant components has departed China, according to reports from Western news agencies analyzed by Voice of America (VOA). The cargo ship, named Zayran, left China on Monday, a month later than scheduled. This follows the departure of another Iranian ship, the Golban, which arrived in Iran's Port of Abbas on February 13 after a 19-day journey from eastern China.
Missile Propellant Allegations
Reports from January and February by the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and CNN indicated that Iran was using two cargo ships, including the Zayran, to import 1,000 metric tons of sodium perchlorate from China. According to multiple Western intelligence sources cited by these news agencies, this quantity of sodium perchlorate could be converted into enough ammonium perchlorate to produce propellant for 260 medium-range Iranian missiles. Ammonium perchlorate is a key component in solid rocket propellant.
US Sanctions and Iranian Response
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on both the Golban and Zayran, as they are operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), a state-owned entity. The US State Department has described IRISL as "Iran's preferred method for acquiring materials and equipment for its missile program." Neither the US State Department nor Iran's UN mission has commented on the Zayran's departure from China.
Background and Context
Last month, the US State Department acknowledged reports from the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal about the alleged use of the Golban and Zayran to import sodium perchlorate from China. A spokesperson stated that the department does not comment on intelligence matters but remains vigilant in preventing the acquisition of materials, equipment, and technology beneficial to Iran's missile or other weapons programs, enforcing sanctions to hold Iran accountable.
