The New York Times yesterday claimed Bermudian companies continued to insure vessels illegally shipping military-related cargo to Iran's Defence Ministry.

Attorney General Kim Wilson said Government continues to monitor the situation.

The front page article alleged the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines [Irisl] — which is under international sanctions for shipping materials which would help the rogue state create nuclear weapons — has been playing a game of cat and mouse by continually changing the names of its ships and their owners in order to avoid sanctions.

It further wrote: "Britain, home to some of the world's largest shipping insurers, placed its own sanctions on Irisl last fall. As a result, policies were cancelled for many Irisl-owned ships.

"But the British sanctions, as well as a subsequent ban enacted by the ship insurance centre of Bermuda, only cover Irisl, not subsidiaries or related entities.

"And records show that British and Bermudan [sic] companies still insure at least ten ships owned by Irisl subsidiaries that are on the American blacklist."

The newspaper did not name the Bermudian companies doing business with Irisl subsidiaries.

Early this year Sen. Wilson issued a directive ordering companies to cease doing business with Irisl.

It was the first such directive to come from Bermuda's newly created Anti-Terrorism (Financial and other Measures) Amendment Act.

Yesterday, The Royal Gazette asked Sen. Wilson if a similar directive was expected regarding the subsidiaries of Irisl. She was also asked if this was a complicated process?

She replied: "As noted in the article, we issued a direction this year to our financial institutions to cease doing business with Irisl. We continue to review these matters and remain in close communication with other governmental authorities in this regard."

The New York Times article is titled "Web of Shell Companies Veils Trade by Iran's Ships".