The “plot”:http://www.totalwonkerr.net/1837/psi-part-deux-red-sea-regatta thickens. According to “various”:http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/cyprus-ship-violates-un-sanctions-on-iran-cypriot-official/2009/02/08/1233423572271.html “reports”:http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gh2n81Y5aFLUr13PtHzTeJK71luA, the _Monchegorsk,_ the vessel carrying unspecified weapons from Iran, now sitting in the Cypriot port of Limassol, is–as its name suggests–Russian-owned.

This is surely old news to readers more attentive than Yours Truly, but of interest because it raises the (usual) questions about the interest and ability of national authorities to enforce UNSC sanctions resolutions against Iran. According to the “Cyprus Mirror”:http://www.financialmirror.com/News/Cyprus_and_World_News/13865,

According to diplomatic sources, Cyprus requests from the UN Sanctions Committee to assess whether the findings of the inspections lie within the provisions of the Security Council Resolutions on Iran (1696/2006, 1737/2006,1747/2007 and 1803/2008), and seeks its recommendations on how to proceed with the issue.

Without taking the trouble to re-read all of these, I’m pretty sure we can narrow it down to “1747”:http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus/IaeaIran/unsc_res1747-2007.pdf, which

5. Decides that Iran shall not supply, sell or transfer directly or indirectly from its territory or by its nationals or using its flag vessels or aircraft any arms or related materiel, and that all States shall prohibit the procurement of such items from Iran by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, and whether or not originating in the territory of Iran;

I haven’t seen any mention of the nationality of the crew. But you get the point. Hey, have you heard the one about a Russian merchant vessel carrying arms from Iran to Gaza in the middle of a war with Israel?

Hmm… maybe not so funny.

Clif Burns calls it the “hot boat-ato”:http://www.exportlawblog.com/archives/457. That _is_ funny, unless you happen to be the Cypriot authorities.

On an unrelated note, the arms-laden Ukrainian vessel “MV Faina”:http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/1010/42/374314.htm has been ransomed from Somali pirates. Finally.

Here’s your “musical bonus”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KdHuZXWxGo&feature=related. Enjoy.