Imported Dates from Israel Destroyed in Iran

Iran's customs announced on Wednesday, June 14, that 9 trucks of dates imported from Israel have been destroyed. This shipment of dates had been confiscated by customs in April and May of last year. Some Iranian news agencies, citing the customs statement, reported that the destruction of the date shipments was carried out under a 'judicial order' in the Makoo region. The reports mentioned the destruction of shipments equivalent to 241 tons in 9 trucks. According to these reports, the Israeli dates were imported into Iran in April and May of last year. The prosecutor of Makoo had previously stated that the shipments were discovered and seized last year through the 'efforts of the anonymous soldiers of Imam Zaman.' However, the government's information website on Wednesday quoted the Office of Export and Import Regulations of the Trade Development Organization, stating that 'no order for dates from the Zionist regime (Israel) had been registered.' This office added that 'if imports are through unofficial channels, they are considered smuggling and must be confiscated by law.' Some Iranian media reports indicated that importing dates from Israel, labeled as an 'occupying regime,' is illegal and punishable, and that the dates were contaminated with microorganisms. However, Dadashi, a member of the Parliament's Article 90 Commission, told the judiciary's news agency Mizan that the mentioned import is 'very surprising and those who did this must be prosecuted.' Mohammad Basteh Darazeh, a representative from Saravan in Parliament, also stated that 'the best type of dates grows in Sistan and Baluchestan province, and importing dates to Iran from any country negatively affects the economy of this province.' Meanwhile, in recent weeks, as reports of the 'discovery' of the imported Israeli date shipment to Iran were published, some social media users outside Iran suggested that instead of destroying the dates, they should be distributed among the needy. Iranian media confirmed that the shipments had been held in Iranian customs for 13 to 14 months. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Iran has identified Israel as an enemy and severed all relations with it. The Iranian government has prohibited travel to Israel, contact between athletes, and trade relations with this country. Israel has also considered Iran's nuclear program a serious threat and has described the Islamic Republic's regional policies as supporting terrorism. However, this may be the first time that dates have entered this political and regional conflict, although in previous years there have been claims regarding the import of Israeli Yaffa oranges to Iran.