An expert panel monitoring U.N. sanctions on Iran has reported that Syria continues to be the main destination of illicit Iranian weapons, a Security Council diplomat said Wednesday.

The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because the panel's report has not been released, said it identified three new illegal shipments, two involving Syria which was also the previous destination of a majority of Iranian arms shipments.

It said there was "a high probability" that the third large shipment of rockets originated in Iran, the diplomat said. Britain reported last year that the rocket shipment was destined for Taliban militants in Afghanistan.

"Syria continues to be the central party to illicit Iranian arms transfers," the diplomat, who has seen the report, quoted it as saying.

The report to the U.N. Security Council committee monitoring sanctions is expected to be discussed by the 15 council members and could be changed before it is finalized. The diplomat said all eight experts on the panel signed off on it.