U.S. Coast Guard Intercepts Iranian Weapons Intended for Houthis

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

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter 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.

The vessel was intercepted on January 28th by the USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr, which 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.

“This is yet another example of Iran’s malign activity in the region,” Centcom commander Michael Erik Kurilla, was quoted as saying.

“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.

It was also stated that the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of such aid violates U.N. security council resolution 2216.