US warship seizes suspected Iran missile parts set for Yemen

Officials say ‘significant cache’ of weapons, which contravene UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen conflict, showcase Tehran’s backing of Houthi rebels in the country

WASHINGTON (AP) — A US Navy warship has seized a “significant cache” of suspected Iranian guided missile parts headed to rebels in Yemen, US officials said Wednesday, marking the first time that such sophisticated components have been taken en route to the war there.

The seizure from a small boat by the US Navy and a US Coast Guard boarding team happened last Wednesday in the northern Arabian Sea, and the weapons have been linked to Iran.

Officials said the incident illustrates the continuing illegal smuggling of weapons to Houthi rebels and comes as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Portugal Wednesday, with Iran as the main topic of discussion.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe a sensitive military mission.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Lisbon, Portugal, December 4, 2019. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

The US has consistently accused Iran of illegally smuggling arms to Houthi rebels battling the Yemeni government and has seized smaller and less sophisticated weapons in transit.

According to officials, the USS Forrest Sherman was conducting routine maritime operations when sailors noticed a small wooden boat that was not displaying a country flag.

The Navy and Coast Guard personnel stopped, boarded the boat for inspection and found the weapons.

Illustrative: Tribesmen loyal to Houthi rebels chant slogans during a gathering aimed at mobilizing more fighters into battlefronts to fight pro-government forces, in Sana’a, Yemen, January 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Officials did not provide the exact number of missiles or parts but did describe it as a significant cache. They said the small boat was towed into port, and the people on the boat were transferred to the Yemeni Coast Guard. The weapons are still on board the US ship.

Smuggling weapons into Yemen is a violation of a UN Security Council resolution.

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