Cyprus is awaiting UN guidance on what to do with a Cypriot-flagged ship that is docked off Limassol, amid Israeli and US charges it is carrying illegal Iranian weapons for Hamas.

“Due to the origin of the cargo it needs to be examined whether this specific shipment falls within any specific (UN) resolution ban, and it’s from here we expect UN guidance,” Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou told reporters. “Depending on the UN reaction, we shall take decisions and act accordingly,” he added.

The government announced it has twice inspected the Russian-owned cargo ship Monchegorsk on January 29 and February 2. A report on those findings was submitted to the “competent UN Security Council sanctions committee” on Iranian weapons exports. The Committee is examining the report and a response could be issued to Nicosia as early as today.

Cyprus has released few details of its investigation into what it has called a “sensitive and delicate” affair after the ship entered Cypriot waters last week. The Foreign Minister denied that Cyprus had come under any pressure from Israel to seize the cargo from the ship or the Russians to do the opposite.

“No government has told Cyprus what to do or request Cyprus do more than follow international law…there has been no pressure or intervention.” He also said that “almost everything written or published was wrong.”

Last week, President Christofias said the island was obliged to accept the boat as the shipment was in “contravention of (UN) Security Council resolutions,” although Nicosia has tried to soften this categorical stance. However, Christofias seemed to contradict his minister yesterday when conceding he had been “annoyed” by the “interference from some country” which he did not name.

The US Navy reportedly forced the ship to dock off Limassol over suspicions that it was carrying Iranian arms. The US military said it boarded the ship more than two weeks ago in the Red Sea and discovered Iranian munitions, then alerted the Cypriot authorities to search it after the cargo ship entered Cyprus waters.

Washington cited “legal reasons” for not confiscating the suspect shipment in open waters. Israeli news reports, said the Monchegorsk was carrying a shipment of Iranian arms for Gaza and was detained in Cyprus following a request by the US and Israeli authorities.

Some reports suggested that the Russian-owned ship was travelling from Iran to Syria with weapons destined for Hamas. There has been no official confirmation on what exactly is on the boat. Cyprus enjoys close ties with Syria and Iran but reportedly agreed to search the ship as a “favour” to newly elected US President Barack Obama.

WAITING GAME: The ship with a hot cargo remains moored off Limassol while diplomacy unfolds