The United States Navy has announced they intercepted a fishing vessel attempting to smuggle illicit cargo, including over 50 tons of ammunition.
U.S. Navy interception of ammunition bound for Yemen
In a statement, the US Navy’s fifth fleet said, “On December 1st, US naval forces in the Middle East intercepted a fishing trawler smuggling more than 50 tons of ammunition rounds, fuses, and propellants for rockets in the Gulf of Oman along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen.” According to the Navy, sailors recovered more than 1 million rounds of ammunition, 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets, and over 2,100 kilograms of propellant used to launch rocket-propelled grenades.
Previous seizures
Previous seizures
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said, “This significant interdiction clearly shows that Iran’s unlawful transfer of lethal aid and destabilizing behavior continues. US naval forces remain focused on deterring and disrupting dangerous and irresponsible maritime activity in the region.”
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper
The interception by the US Navy marks the second-largest seizure within the last 30 days from a ship leaving Iran and heading to Yemen. The Iranian government has been trying to supply Houthi rebels in Yemen with arms for years as they seek to control Yemen. The attempt to supply Houthis with weapons and munitions goes against a UN security council resolution that forbids the transfer of arms or ammunition to the Houthis.
