US says it seizes weapons ship from Iran likely headed to Yemen
Intercepted dhow found to be carrying thousands of rifles, machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The US Navy said it has seized a weapons shipment in the Arabian Sea from Iran likely heading to war-torn Yemen.
The Navy said in a statement Monday that on March 28, the USS Sirocco intercepted and seized the shipment of weapons hidden aboard a small dhow, a type of ship commonly used in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
The Navy said the shipment included 1,500 Kalashnikov assault rifles, 200 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 21 .50-caliber machine guns. It said those aboard the dhow were released after sailors confiscated the arms.
A Saudi-led, US-backed coalition is fighting in Yemen against Shiite rebels and their allies there. Officials have linked similar weapons seizures to Iran and the Shiite rebels, though the rebels deny receiving support from the Islamic Republic.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.