US Naval forces in the Middle East thwarted an attempt to smuggle weapons in the Gulf of Oman, along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen.
The Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet announced yesterday that navy personnel operating from USS Lewis B Puller intercepted a fishing trawler last Thursday smuggling more than 50 tonnes of ammunition rounds, fuses, and propellants for rockets.
It added the illicit cargo was discovered during a flag verification boarding, marking the Fifth Fleet’s second major illegal weapons seizure within a month.
The US naval forces found more than one million rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 25,000 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, nearly 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets and 2,100kg of propellant used to launch rocket-propelled grenades.
“This significant interdiction clearly shows that Iran’s unlawful transfer of lethal aid and destabilising behaviour continues,” said Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper.
“US naval forces remain focused on deterring and disrupting dangerous and irresponsible maritime activity in the region.”
The direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of weapons to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen violates the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law.
The Fifth Fleet previously intercepted a fishing vessel illegally shipping lethal aid from Iran to Yemen last month.
Coast Guard ship USCGC John Scheuerman and guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans intercepted the vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
A weeklong search assisted by patrol coastal ship USS Hurricane and Navy explosive ordnance disposal technicians from the Fifth Fleet’s Task Force 56 discovered more than 70 tonnes of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidiser commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel as well as explosives.
US forces also found more than 100 tonnes of urea fertiliser, a chemical compound with agricultural applications that are also known for use as an explosive precursor.
&uuid=(email))