According to recent reports, the X account “Iran Observer” disclosed that a Russian Il-76TD aircraft, operated by Gelix Airlines, landed at Tehran Airport on August 2. Iran Observer claims that Gelix Airlines has a history of transporting weapons, though these assertions have not been independently confirmed by BulgarianMilitary.com.
However, Gelix Airlines has been previously linked to similar activities. In July 2012, the airline was reportedly involved in arms shipments to Syria during its civil war, raising international concern. These shipments included small arms and ammunition destined for the Syrian government, which was engaged in a conflict with various rebel groups.
Another significant incident occurred in October 2013 when Gelix Airlines was accused of delivering small arms and light weapons to Sudan, a country embroiled in internal conflict and known for human rights violations. This delivery also drew international scrutiny.
In December 2015, Gelix Airlines was again under the spotlight for allegedly transporting military equipment to Libya, a nation fractured by civil war following the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. The cargo reportedly included rifles and machine guns for one of the warring factions.
The Il-76TD cargo aircraft, with a maximum payload capacity of approximately 50 tons, is capable of transporting a wide range of military hardware. This includes armored vehicles, artillery, and specialized equipment such as anti-aircraft missile systems and electronic warfare apparatus. The aircraft can also carry up to 140 paratroopers or 126 fully equipped soldiers, making it highly versatile for various military operations.
In related developments, U.S. intelligence has not detected any immediate signs that Iran is preparing for a military strike on Israel, according to a report from the Saudi Al-Hadath news outlet. The report suggests that Iran’s regional proxies are not currently mobilizing for a major offensive, and any response from Tehran is expected to be measured rather than a large-scale assault. Despite heightened tensions following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniya in Tehran, both Iran and Israel appear to be avoiding a full-scale conflict.
