More Iranian Ships Arriving with Ballistic Missile Propellant

Photo of Jairan (IMO: 9167291) by Manuel Hernandez Lafuente

According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal, Iran is expected to receive a new shipment of sodium perchlorate from manufacturers in China. The compound is used as a precursor to ammonium perchlorate, a primary ingredient in the solid fuel used for many of Iran’s ballistic missiles. The report cites unnamed “officials” based in Washington as its source, according to the Maritime Executive.

Role of Solid Fuel in Iran’s Missile Arsenal

Sodium perchlorate, when refined into ammonium perchlorate, accounts for approximately 70 percent of the fuel load used in many of Iran's solid-fueled ballistic missiles. These include longer-range systems such as the Khybar-Shikan and Fattah, both of which were reportedly used during Iran’s "True Promise" operations targeting Israel. Iran's inventory also includes shorter-range missiles like the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar, which have been supplied to Russia for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Earlier in 2024, Iran was observed transporting Fath-360 solid-fueled ballistic missiles to Russia via the Caspian Sea. The U.S. military facility Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, have reportedly been targeted by Iranian Fateh-313 missiles. Separately, the solid-fueled Palestine-2 missile used by the Houthi group in strikes against Israel is believed to be either a direct Iranian Fattah missile or a locally assembled variant.

Three Times Larger Than First Delivery

The Wall Street Journal reports that the latest shipment of sodium perchlorate is expected to be in pellet form and could potentially supply fuel for up to 800 missiles. In comparison, Iran’s previous shipment, transported aboard MVs Golbon (IMO: 9283033) and Jairan (IMO: 9167291), included 58 containers, sufficient for about 240 missiles. The scale of the new consignment suggests it may be carried in approximately 185 twenty-foot containers, requiring at least two container ships due to both volume and safety considerations. As with the previous shipment, the operation is likely to be overseen by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).

Three medium-sized IRISL container ships — Barzin (IMO: 9820269), Rayen (IMO: 9820245), and Behta (IMO: 9349590) — are currently anchored at CMK/K14 off the coast of Shanghai. All three vessels, as well as their owner IRISL, have been named in U.S. Treasury sanctions. At present, no direct connection has been established between these ships and the reported consignment.

Unresolved Incident in Bandar Abbas

Separately, officials in Bandar Abbas (LOCODE: IRBND) have not provided an official explanation for a major explosion that occurred on April 26 in the Shahid Rajaee Port (LOCODE: IRSRP) container park. Speculation has circulated that the incident involved sodium perchlorate previously offloaded from MVs Golbon and Jairan. Satellite imagery pinpointed the explosion’s origin within the port’s logistics zone at coordinates 27.124011°N, 56.068211°E. Social media videos suggest there were multiple fires at separate locations in the container yard, with footage showing at least one blaze being extinguished by a helicopter. These observations have led to unconfirmed suggestions of possible sabotage. The scale of the new incoming shipment lends further support to the theory that the earlier consignment may have been lost.

U.S. Sanctions Following Return of Shipment

Following the return of the MVs Golbon and Jairan, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on six companies and six individuals from Iran and China for their alleged roles in sourcing ballistic missile propellant materials for the IRGC. Among the Chinese entities named are Yanling Chuanxing Chemical, Dongying Weiaien Chemical, China Chlorate Tech, Shenzhen Amor Logistics, and Yanling Lingfeng Chlorate — all based in Hunan and Shandong Provinces.

IRISL Vessel Heads for Iran

Meanwhile, another IRISL vessel previously associated with arms transport, the MV Elyana (IMO: 9165827), departed from an anchorage off Tobruk (LOCODE: LYTOB) on May 30. The vessel had remained in the area for three weeks and may have entered port briefly. As of June 5, the Elyana was reported at the Suez South Anchorage after completing a southbound transit through the Suez Canal. It is presumed to be en route to Bandar Abbas.