A U.S. Department of Defense official stated on Thursday that a convoy of Iranian ships, likely carrying advanced weapons to Yemen, has changed its course and returned. The Pentagon official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the Iranian convoy might take the route to Yemen again, but at least on Thursday, it did not follow that path. According to him, the convoy consists of 9 ships that were heading towards the port of Aden in Yemen and are suspected of carrying advanced weapons for the Houthi rebels. Reuters also quoted other U.S. government officials stating that the convoy was in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden and is still present near the eastern borders of Yemen. Previously, Ashton Carter, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, had warned that Iranian ships could be carrying weapons for the Houthis, but he did not specify whether the United States would forcibly stop and inspect these ships. Iran is accused of supporting the Houthi rebels who have seized the capital of Yemen. Barack Obama, the former President of the United States, also stated that he warned Iran about sending weapons to Yemen. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Tehran has not received any special message from the U.S. regarding Yemen. In recent days, the United States has also dispatched an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer to the waters around Yemen. The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and the USS Normandy guided-missile destroyer are positioned 320 kilometers from the Iranian ships and are monitoring the activities of the Iranian fleet from the air. In this context, Carter expressed concern about the potential presence of advanced weapons for Yemen on the Iranian ships. The Houthis in Yemen have set conditions for negotiations under UN supervision, and the Saudi-led coalition has resumed airstrikes on Yemen. The Iranian Defense Minister reacted strongly to his French counterpart regarding Yemen.
Pentagon: Iranian Ship Convoy Heading to Yemen Has Changed Course
The Pentagon announced that an Iranian ship convoy believed to be carrying advanced weapons to Yemen has changed course and returned, although it may attempt to head to Yemen again. This situation involves U.S. military monitoring and concerns over Iranian support for Houthi rebels. The implications of this development are significant given the ongoing conflict in Yemen and U.S.-Iran tensions.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
U.S. officials report Iranian ship convoy changed course, suspected of carrying weapons to Yemen.
- U.S. Department of Defense announce Iranian ship convoy
- U.S. military monitor Iranian ships
- Ashton Carter warn Iran
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Iranian ship convoy's change in course reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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