IDF thwarted smuggling of Iranian explosives from Jordan - report

The thwarting of a weapons smuggling attempt from Jordan was originally announced by the IDF in July.

Members of a special IRGC force attend a rally marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Tehran, Iran, April 29, 2022. (photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)
Members of a special IRGC force attend a rally marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Tehran, Iran, April 29, 2022.
(photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

The IDF thwarted an attempt to smuggle Iranian-produced explosives from Jordan to Israel in July, the IDF cleared for publication on Sunday.

The information was first reported by KAN news on Sunday evening, with the IDF later confirming to additional media outlets that the censor on the information had been lifted.

The thwarting of a weapons smuggling attempt from Jordan was announced by the IDF in July, but the original announcement did not specify the nature of the weapons seized.

At the end of July, the IDF announced that it had thwarted an "unusual" weapons smuggling attempt in the Jordan Valley near Ashdot Yaakov. It is estimated that the explosives were intended for terrorist organizations in the West Bank. The investigation of the smuggling was assigned to the Shin Bet, according to KAN.

 Explosive device confiscated from authorities following the arrest of four Arab-Israelis for ties to Hezbollah (credit: MAARIV)
Explosive device confiscated from authorities following the arrest of four Arab-Israelis for ties to Hezbollah (credit: MAARIV)

Israeli officials place focus on Iran's involvement in terrorism

The announcement comes as Israeli officials place a greater focus on Iran's efforts to aid terrorism and crime in the region.

On Thursday, the Shin Bet announced that Israeli citizens from Lod and Kafr Kassem had been arrested and indicted after receiving Iranian-made explosives and ammunition through Hezbollah. The Israeli citizens intended to use the weapons for criminal purposes. 

Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the wave of terrorist attacks in the West Bank was being "encouraged, directed and financed by Iran and its affiliates."