221203-N-NO146-1003 GULF OF OMAN (Dec. 3, 2022) Bags containing more than 50 tons of fuses and propellants for rockets and ammunition rounds sit on the flight deck of expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), Dec. 3. (U.S. Navy photo)
The United States Navy 5th Fleet intercepted on December 1 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, the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) announced on December 3.
The command said in a statement that the illicit cargo was discovered by Navy personnel operating from expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller during a flag verification boarding.
The cargo included more than 1 million rounds of 7.62mm ammunition; 25,000 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition; nearly 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets; and over 2,100 kilograms of propellant used to launch rocket propelled grenades.
“This significant interdiction clearly shows that Iran’s unlawful transfer of lethal aid and destabilizing behavior continues,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. “U.S. naval forces remain focused on deterring and disrupting dangerous and irresponsible maritime activity in the region.”
NAVCENT statement indicates that the ammunition and weapons were heading to the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen, who are close allies of Iran.
221203-N-NO146-1004 GULF OF OMAN (Dec. 3, 2022) A stateless fishing trawler intercepted by Navy personnel operating from expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) transits the Gulf of Oman Dec. 3. (U.S. Navy photo)
221203-N-NO146-1005 GULF OF OMAN (Dec. 3, 2022) Photo taken Dec. 3 of a package containing rounds of 7.62mm ammunition seized from a fishing trawler interdicted by expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller, Dec. 1, in the Gulf of Oman. (U.S. Navy photo)
221203-N-NO146-1002 GULF OF OMAN (Dec. 3, 2022) Photo taken Dec. 3 of an individual round of 12.7mm ammunition seized from a fishing trawler interdicted by expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller, Dec. 1, in the Gulf of Oman. (U.S. Navy photo)
221201-N-NO146-2001 GULF OF OMAN (Dec. 1, 2022) Photo of a U.S. service member holding a proximity fuse seized from a fishing trawler interdicted by expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller, Dec. 1, in the Gulf of Oman. (U.S. Navy photo)
Commenting on the seizure, Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander of the U.S. Central Command, said that Iran “remains the primary destabilizing element in the Middle East.”
“We are committed to countering Iran’s malign behavior on behalf of security & stability for the region,” the commander added.
This was the second such seizure by the U.S. Navy in less than a month. On November 8, the 5th Fleet intercepted a similar smuggling vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Aboard the vessel, more than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidizer commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel as well as explosives, were found along with more than 100 tons of urea fertilizer, that is also known for use as an explosive precursor.
The U.S. maintains a large naval presence in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean near Yemen to indirectly support the Saudi-led war on the Houthis there.
Presumably a false flag operation on the part of the US to accuse Iran of providing weapons to the Houthis. The so-called weapons are marked in english. By the way, why shouldn’t Iran supply weapons to the Houthis? We are providing weapons to Ukraine. Oh, of course! We are the good guys, and after all, Saudi Arabia is such a nice democracy, isn’t it, haha.
Usa the most enemy of middleeast peoples. Evil ever ! But will lost everything.. nearly.
And the funny thing is that the Zaydis were allies of the West against Nasserists during Cold War.
Gets a bit wrong when you know that Iran has volunteer suicide bombers available.
Next time I want to see them blow up their boat and the American warship that stops them before they reach their destination.
Yes, the first hit I got on a search for the proximity fuse shows them supplied by yugoimport based in Belgrade. The “route from Iran” passes several US bases.
Oh ya, confiscating weapons from a war the US and NATOSTAN involved in.
Stupidi bugiardi americani! Lo Yemen produce le sue munizioni!!!!!!!!!!!
In English: Stupid American liars! Yemen produces its own ammunition!!!!!!!!!!!
As an American, I don’t want any of this. I don’t care what happens in the middle east. But we’re run by Jews, and Israel comes first.
As strange as it sounds, I support Trump, Putin, Israel and Houthis at the same time.
Time for Russia to seize any weapons before it gets to Ukraine.
Iran should either send weapons with war ships or dont send weapons at all. Sending them like that is like sending them directly to isis and ukraine. Thats where the us will hand them over to.
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Syria, Oman and Qatar also support the Houthis but US are fixated on Iran only. This is why US will lose in the long term because they couldn’t keep a pro-US axis and were exposed repeatedly.
The U.S. Navy committed piracy on the high seas here. They have no legal authority for what they did. Fuck the U.S. Military Industrial Congressional Complex.
It’s none of USA’s business what is shipped in the Middle East. They should stick close to home.
it’s not illicit cargo. It was meant for the Houthis who are fighting for their sovereignty and preventing foreigners from running their country and exploiting their people.
This ‘confiscation’ will put the Houthis back by at last an hour.:)
when will someone seize US weapons going to terrorists. ??
Admiral Cooper, Could you kindly explain how “Iran’s unlawful transfer of lethal aid and destabilizing behavior” for the Houthis differs from the US’ destabilizing behavior and transfer of lethal aid to Saudi Arabia – a notoriously brutal regime? Aside from being on the wrong side of justice and history.