Iran, Syria discuss region and weapons

TEHRAN, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki discussed regional issues and weapons allegations with his Syrian counterpart Wednesday in Tehran.

Mottaki welcomed Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem to Tehran for a two-day visit to discuss issues related to Iraq, Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran's Press TV reports.

Syrian President Bashar Assad relayed a message of support for the bilateral ties enjoyed by the two nations.

Their meeting was overshadowed by the Israeli seizure of a vessel allegedly containing Iranian-made weapons bound for Syria.

Israel says the weapons were carrying hundreds of tons of weapons to Hezbollah and other regional militants.

Muallem in Tehran denied the allegations, saying the ship in question was carrying Syrian-made goods bound for Iranian markets.

"Unfortunately a number of pirates disrupt business activities and frequenting of the ships, these pirates sometimes act in the name of (Iranians)," he said.

The U.S. Congressional Research Service said in an October report that Iran is one of the biggest customers for North Korean arms, acting as a possible go-between for Syria's arsenal.

"Iran purportedly has acted as an intermediary with North Korea to supply Syria with various forms of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology," the report said.