Israeli naval commandos have intercepted and reportedly seized Iran’s Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel, Klos-C, in the Red Sea.

The vessel was allegedly carrying 40 long-range rockets, sent by Iran to Gaza Strip militants.

Agence France Press (AFP) cited Israeli military as saying in a statement that it had found M-302 rockets, which have a range of 160km, in containers aboard the Klos-C ship.

"Our efforts in preventing the proliferation of weapons and the supply of critical components with strategic influence over the region is not over."

The vessel, on the high seas between Sudan and Eritrea, was inspected and unloaded in an operation dubbed ‘Full Disclosure’ and was escorted to the Red Sea port of Eilat by two Israeli warships.

In addition to Syrian-made M-302 rockets, the ship also reportedly contained 181 122mm mortar shells, approximately 400,000 7.62-calibre rounds.

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A combined task-force including the Israeli Navy, the Combat Engineering Corps and the Ordnance Corps conducted unloading and inspection of containers aboard the ship.

Israeli Army chief lieutenant general Benny Gantz said that the each rocket posed a threat to the safety of Israel citizens.

"Our efforts in preventing the proliferation of weapons and the supply of critical components with strategic influence over the region is not over," Gantz said.

Defence Technology