The incident took place in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday “during a flag verification boarding, according to a statement by the US 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, adding that it was the fleet’s “second major illegal weapons seizure within a month.”
“This significant interdiction clearly shows that Iran’s unlawful transfer of lethal aid and destabilizing behavior continues,” Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said, affirming Washington’s commitment to “deterring and disrupting dangerous and irresponsible maritime activity in the region.”
Over one million rounds of ammunition were confiscated during the search, with the fishing trawler being seized along a route infamously used to smuggle weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Iran has not issued any comments about the incident.
The vessel was carrying nearly 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets and more than 2,100 kilograms of propellant, which is used in the launching of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
“The direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of weapons to the Houthis in Yemen violates U.N. Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law,” the US Navy statement continued.
The resolution imposed “sanctions on individuals undermining the stability of Yemen … particularly the Houthis” and called on them to “immediately and unconditionally end violence and refrain from further unilateral actions that threatened the political transition.”
In January, the US Navy seized a “stateless” vessel transiting from Iran in the Gulf of Oman carrying explosive materials. The ship was also stopped along the same route used to smuggle weapons to the Houthis in Yemen.
