U.S. Navy Reports Seizure of Arms Shipment from Iran

The U.S. Navy announced on Monday, April 4 (16 Farvardin), that its warships seized a vessel carrying weapons from Iran in the Arabian Sea, likely destined for Yemen. According to Reuters, the U.S. Navy's statement specified that these weapons were probably intended for the Houthi Shiite militants in Yemen. The statement added that the USS Siraco and USS Grayoli last week discovered 1,500 Kalashnikov rifles, 200 RPG launchers, and 21 .50 caliber machine guns during the inspection of a small boat. The U.S. Navy stated that the ship was seized on March 28 and that these weapons were confiscated by American forces, although the crew of the ship has been released. The statement emphasized that the seizure of this ship is another example of the illegal flow of weapons from Iran being intercepted by international forces in the region. The U.S. Navy also mentioned that on February 27, the Australian Navy seized a ship carrying about 2,000 Kalashnikovs, 100 RPGs, dozens of grenade launchers, and machine guns. The French Navy also confiscated nearly 2,000 Kalashnikovs, 9 anti-tank missiles, and dozens of machine guns from another ship. In response to this news, Josh Earnest, a White House spokesman, stated on Monday that Iran's support for the Houthi militants is an example of Iran's 'destabilizing' actions in the region, and the United Nations Security Council should likely address this issue. The White House spokesman expressed clear concern over developments in this area, noting that support for rebels in Yemen is inconsistent with Security Council resolutions on the matter. According to Reuters, U.S. officials had previously emphasized that Iran's assistance to the Houthis is limited, but Iranian forces are training the Houthis. Saudi Arabia and the Arab coalition have repeatedly accused Iran of arming the Houthi militants, a claim that Iran denies. The Houthi militants, along with supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, control Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, while Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemeni President Mansour Hadi Abdul Rabbu, has conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions in various parts of Yemen with a coalition of Arab countries. Forces loyal to Mansour Hadi previously managed to retake the city of Aden with the help of Saudi air power.