The already strained relations between Turkey and Iran have further deteriorated according to regional reports as Turkish officials report intercepting chemicals used to manufacture chemical weapons on their way from Iran to Damascus.

Walla reports that a convoy of trucks traveling from Iran to Syria were intercepted, found to be hauling the load of chemicals, the London based al-Shark al-Awsat newspaper is quoted as reporting.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan states Iranian officials insist the chemicals are intended for a Syrian plant and not a military weapon as suspected. The prime minister added “we know that one may make a chemical weapon from fertilizer”. The prime minister made his remarks to a Syrian delegation attending a forum in Turkey.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)