Hizballah's boasting lands Iran in hot water with UN

A June 2016 televised statement by the Lebanese Shia militia group's secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah claiming it receives its salaries, expenses, weapons and missiles from Iran has raised "particular concern" among UN officials. 

"The statement suggests that transfers of arms from Iran to Hizballah may have been undertaken contrary to resolution 2231 (2015)," Under Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman told the UNSC on Wednesday, presenting a report by former UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

"In addition, the report notes the November 2016 letter by Israel to the Secretary-General and the council about the alleged use of commercial flights by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to transfer arms and related materiel to Hizballah," Feltman added.

Feltman served previously as US ambassador to Beirut and is widely seen as a fierce opponent of the Lebanese armed group.

The Islamist militia - blacklisted by the US as a terrorist organisation - is fighting in Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Under a Security Council resolution enshrining the nuclear deal, implemented a year ago in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, the UN secretary-general is required to report every six months to the council on any violations of sanctions still in place.

Under a Security Council resolution enshrining the nuclear deal, implemented a year ago in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, the UN secretary-general is required to report every six months to the council on any violations of sanctions still in place.

The report also mentions the seizure of an arms shipment by the French Navy in the Northern Indian Ocean in March 2016, which France said originated in Iran and that the transfer was against the nuclear agreement.

Another arms seizure, off the coast of Oman in Feburary 2016 by the Royal Australian Navy, was also reported to have come from Iran.

Both seizures bear strong similarities with one reported by the United States in June 2016, the report said.

"[We] look forward to the opportunity to examine the arms seized in all three instances and obtain additional information in order to corroborate the information provided and independently ascertain the origin of these shipments," said Feltman.

When asked by the international body to clarify the issues, Iran's mission to the UN said "measures undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Iran in combating terrorism and violent extremism in the region have been consistent with its national security interests and international commitments".

No reports had been received of the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of nuclear-related items, or any information regarding Iranian ballistic missile activities, the UNSC was also told.

Iraqi authorities also confirmed to the UNSC that items exhibited by Iran at an arms exhibition held in Baghdad in March 2016 were returned to Iran.

The report comes on the eve of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened to either scrap the nuclear agreement or seek a better deal.