Iranian weapons shipment destined for Yemen rebels intercepted in Arabian Sea, says US

The US military said on Thursday it had seized an Iranian weapons shipment in January that was destined for Yemen’s Houthi rebels who have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea.

In a long post on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, “The US navy seized advanced conventional weapons and other lethal aid originating in Iran and bound to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 28.”

CENTCOM Intercepts Iranian Weapons Shipment Intended for Houthis

TAMPA, Fla. – A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, forward deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, seized advanced conventional weapons and other lethal aid originating in Iran and bound to… pic.twitter.com/inkw4ihq1I

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 15, 2024

Houthi rebels in Yemen have repeatedly launched drones and missiles against international commercial shipping since mid-November, saying they are acting in support of Hamas in Gaza.

“The US Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr (WPC 1147), assigned to US Naval Forces Central Command, located the vessel and boarded it in the Arabian Sea. The boarding team discovered over 200 packages that contained medium-range ballistic missile components, explosives, unmanned underwater/surface vehicle (UUV/USV) components, military-grade communication and network equipment, anti-tank guided missile launcher assemblies, and other military components,” CENTCOM added.

CENTCOM said that the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of such aid violates UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (as extended and renewed by resolutions 2675 and 2707).

“This is yet another example of Iran’s malign activity in the region,” said CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla.

“Their continued supply of advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis is in direct violation of international law and continues to undermine the safety of international shipping and the free flow of commerce,” he added.

CENTCOM said it is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including US and UN sanctions and through interdictions.

The attacks by Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who control much of war-torn Yemen, have triggered reprisals by US and British forces, including a fresh wave of US strikes on Houthi-controlled areas on Wednesday.

The Houthi attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, which normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development warned late last month that the volume of commercial traffic passing through the Suez Canal had fallen more than 40 percent in the previous two months.

With inputs from agencies