CANBERRA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Australia's government blocked several export shipments to Iran amid suspicions the cargo was destined for use in weapons of mass destruction programmes, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Thursday.
Defence Minister John Faulkner used powers under special laws preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction to demand local companies withdraw from distribution contracts.
"In the case of Iran, the defence minister has on a number of occasions -- I'm advised three -- exercised his power under the act, and has done so entirely appropriately," Rudd told state radio, refusing to say what the shipments contained.
Rudd did not say over what period the shipments were blocked.
Iran, Rudd said, "does have a nuclear weapons programme" and Australia had blocked the cargo exports under international treaty obligations. Australia is a close U.S. ally and has around 1,500 troops in Afghanistan.
At least one prohibition notice related to a planned shipment of pumps that could have been used to cool nuclear power plants, The Australian newspaper reported.
The companies blocked after intervention by Australian military intelligence agencies were either trying to export directly to Iran or other destinations where cargoes were at risk of diversion to Iran.
Iran on Wednesday launched a rocket capable of carrying a satellite as the international community mulled tougher sanctions against it over its nuclear ambitions. [ID:nLDE61214P]
Western powers fear Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons and the long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used to launch warheads. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely to generate electricity.
"If you look at the threat to regional and global peace which Iran poses in its current nuclear weapons programme, there is no alternative other than robust international action. There are no alternatives other than to maintain a hard line," Rudd said.
Australia has already imposed autonomous trade sanctions against Iran and Rudd will call for tougher sanctions during U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to the country next month. (Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Balazs Koranyi)